raced keenly, held up behind, outpaced 5f out, never dangerous
mid-division on outside, ridden, outpaced 5f out, never on terms
towards rear, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
chased leaders, driven, outpaced over 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on to go remote 3rd over 2f out, no chance with leading pair
led, ridden, headed 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner final furlong
tracked leader, driven, lost place 4f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, held up behind, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, outpaced 5f out, soon behind, tailed off
behind, lost touch halfway, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway 5f out, led 2f out, drew clear approaching final furlong, comfortably
tracked leader, lost place 5f out, weakened over 3f out
As ever, the market is the best guide to the likelihood of success and in the absence of it, THE MAGIC BISHOP is our idea of the most likely winner with Smudger and Flicka's Witness on the shortlist. Malcolm Jefferson's charge made a pleasing debut at Bangor before tiring close home. On breeding, this softer surface should not be much of an issue. Smudger ran far better than the market suggested on debut at Catterick. The gelding made plenty of headway from off the pace and could find this testing course bringing his stamina into play. Donald McCain continues to carry all before him so Flicka's Witness, who raced keenly on introduction, has to be noted in the market. Benefits Bill comes from a good family that included the useful chaser, Blowing Rock. Wotamixup could be a dark horse in this line up. At just 3000 guineas, he was incredibly cheap though the dam side has plenty of blue blood sloshing around it. Pair Of Kings is a half-brother to 2m4f chaser, Tell Henry. Anything achieved today will go down as a bonus for connections. There could be a number of future winners to emerge from this contest and The Magic Bishop seems the best option for today.
Backtobackjack 80-1 (10-13) Held up behind and keen, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 13, 23l behind Final Day (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Flicka's Witness (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, ridden well over 2f out, weakened inside last, 6th of 11, 5l behind Life Long (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Hollows Gift (IRE) Darnay gelding out of Bellagrana.
Pair Of Kings (IRE) Revoque gelding out of Valleymay.
Power Flow (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Led for 4f, chased leaders, weakened 4f out, 8th of 16, 39l behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Smudger 20-1 (11-4) Held up, chased leaders halfway, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Fairynuff (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
The Magic Bishop 9-4 (11-2) Held up, outpaced over 6f out, 8th of 10, 45l behind Fiveways (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Wotamixup Sagamix gelding out of Eglantine.
Deeveetee (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 6f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 31l behind Silvers Spirit (10-7) at Southwell 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Jan.
Eagle Owl (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, carried left inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Royal Swain (10-12) at Carlisle 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Politelysed 40-1 (10-2) Close up on outside, effort 3f out, ridden and no impression final 2f, 5th of 9, 17l behind Silvers Spirit (10-7) at Southwell 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Jan.
Benefits Bill (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Rose Tanner.
