mid-division, ridden approaching 3f out, no impression
always behind, struggling halfway, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up halfway
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish
towards rear, some headway over 5f out, weakened 3f out
held up, in touch, headway half way to track leaders, chased winner approaching final furlong, one pace
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
tracked leaders to halfway, soon lost place, tailed off
tracked leaders until weakened 6f out
led, ridden, headed 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression
in touch, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
Medic gets the confident vote in this bumper to close the card, with Nightfly and Cottam Eclipse rated as the main dangers. The selection sets the benchmark for the rest with a decent debut effort at Catterick when he was a good second behind Astarador. He is sure to come on for that run and with nominal improvement he should prove too strong for his rivals. Nightfly rates the main danger on his best form but he has given the impression in the past he would be suited by a longer trip and for that reason he is opposed. Cottam Eclipse hails from a yard that does well in this sphere and this well-bred sort will not need to be anything special to take a hand in the finish. This is a trappy affair and the market will be all important but for the winner we return to Medic who at least has experience on his side and is sure to improve.
Bartercard (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 34l behind Unjust Law (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Cottam Eclipse Environment Friend gelding, half-brother to 5f winner Move The Clouds and flat/hurdles winner Bring Sweets.
Medic (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Astarador (10-2) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gd.
Mr Ironman 100-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 11, 20l behind Red Poker (11-4) at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Nightfly (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding, brother to winning bumper All Except Alice.
On Tilt 8-1 (10-12) Behind, lost touch over 7f out, tailed off final 3f, 12th of 14, well behind Mumbles Head (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd.
Tuatara Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 21l behind Rocca's Boy (10-2) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd.
Watercress 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Insurgent (9-11) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gf.