chased leaders, ridden 5th, lost place after next, one pace and beaten after
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 6th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down, driven and looked held last, stayed on to lead near finish
mid-division, ridden and lost place before 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
soon driven along in rear, effort to chase leaders 6th, weakened before next
held up, ridden and hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, struggling after
held up behind leaders, staying on but ridden in 5th when not much room after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
always in rear
chased leader, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, looked likely winner last, idled flat, headed near finish
hit 1st, chased leading pair until ridden 3 out, no chance when hampered 2 out
led, ridden and headed 6th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, plugged on same pace
A difficult race where a number of connections can happily argue that the BHA assessor has not been helpful so we will try BUGSY'S BOY at the immediate expense of Smoothly Does It and Intensifier. The selection was not a bad sort on the flat and his fourth at Hereford wasn't a bad run given that the winner looked an exceptionally well handicapped horse. Smoothly Does It was well beaten at Uttoxeter and might just need the handicapper to relent. Intensifier hasn't been too far away from getting his head infront. He was well clear of the remainder in his most recent effort at Chepstow. He'sivorthedriver is visored for the first time. This horse has often been the subject of market support so must be closely watched as a consequence. Bazart, who is perhaps better known as a handicapper on the flat, looks sure to be sent out to make the early running. Maximix has been disappointing and first time cheekpieces are tried to rectify his below par form. Bugsy's Boy will be a sporting price today and he is accordingly nominated.
Aureate 16-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened last, 8th of 10, 15l behind Red Admiral (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Smoothly Does It 11-4fav (10-6) In touch, pulled hard, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 7, 25l behind Take The Breeze (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Bugsy's Boy 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 20l behind Phoudamour (11-3) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Intensifier (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked winner from 2nd, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Bella Haze (10-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, 35l behind Red Admiral (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Maximix 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, 25l behind Hohlethelonely (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Bazart 10-1 (10-1) Prominent, chased leaders 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Oldrik (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Temple Place (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, always in rear, 14th of 16, well behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Sumdancer (NZ) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, raced keenly, tracked leader 2nd until 2 out, 5th and weakening when blundered last, 6th of 10, 15l behind Captain Tidds (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Hesivorthedriver (GER) 3-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out and gradually weakened, 7th of 14, 29l behind Agglestone Rock (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Wondersobright (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Made virtually all, headed briefly when hung right on stable bend after 5th, stayed on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy beating Days of Pleasure (11-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
