held up, blundered 5th, ridden briefly after 8th, weakened after 2 out
led after 1st, hit 4th, headed 6th, led again after 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, jumped left and awkward last
tracked leaders, raced keenly, hit 1st, not fluent 7th, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, hung left between last 2, weakened last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner between last 2, no impression
led until after 1st, with leader, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, led 6th until after 7th, led again 3 out, soon headed, weakened before 2 out where not fluent
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out where not fluent, ran on well flat, readily
Amber Brook is progressing well and may be able to land this heat with Oniphlaure the obvious danger. Bulwark is a smart recruit from the Flat who's of obvious interest whilst Orchard King has shown some ability. The selection scored readily at Exeter over 2 miles 6 before just failing to get the better of Very Cool over this trip at Taunton. The pair were thirty three lengths clear of the field and the winner has since gone close in another handicap from an 11lb higher mark. She can make the most of the weight that she receives from her main market rival. Oniphlaure was driven out to score here on his second start over 2 miles 5, he was then fitted with blinkers and stepped up a furlong in trip at Wincanton. There was no disgrace in being outpointed by a useful winner that day and he shaped as though this stiffer test would suit. Orchard King should find a race but will either need to improve or hope that both principals underperform if it's to be this one; Amber Brook gets our vote here.
Oniphlaure (FR) 13-8jt-fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Quarry Town (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Snargate 8-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, 5th of 18, well behind Pitful Tercah (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Bulwark (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden and virtually tailed off over 6f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 7, 16l behind Inchnadamph (9-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Nov (Flat).
Orchard King (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always prominent, not fluent 8th, led 3 out, mistake and headed last, one pace flat, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Cardinal Spirit (11-5) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Overton Lad 100-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, struggling from 8th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Hennessy (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 15 ran.
Amber Brook (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and every chance from 2 out, kept on towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 15, nk behind Very Cool (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
