held up in rear, headway over 5f out, switched left when chasing leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
always in touch, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 4f out
mostly raced wide, prominent, ran green over 2f out, one pace
mid-division, behind final 5f
took keen hold in mid-division, struggling over 3f out
tracked leader, took keen hold, led over 7f out until over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led until over 7f out, led again over 3f out, headed just over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 5f out, struggling over 3f out, stayed on past beaten horses from over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, in touch after 5f, behind final 6f
in touch, weakened quickly 7f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway over 7f out, weakened 4f out, eased inside final 2f
It takes a decent sort to defy a penalty in bumpers so we'll take on likely favourite Lucky Sunny with SALPIERRE, whilst Awesome Freddie also merits attention. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding made steady headway before stumbling a couple of furlongs from home on his debut when with another yard, so with improvement likely he seems set to step up on that effort and take a hand in the finish. The four-year-old has the assistance of AP McCoy in the saddle this time and as a relatively expensive purchase at the Cheltenham sales connections will be hoping for some immediate return on their investment. In receipt of 7lbs from the previous winner he looks the percentage play but there's no doubt that horse Lucky Sunny sets a tough standard. Ritchie McLernon's mount had the field well strung out in behind when making a successful debut at Uttoxeter and we know conditions will suit, so despite that penalty he looks like being hard to beat and will doubtless attract support. Awesome Freddie is the other to catch the eye having made a satisfactory debut earlier this month. Plenty went wrong for the son of Karinga Bay that day but he still showed enough to suggest a race may come his way, although in those two mentioned he faces a pair of potentially decent recruits and might have to settle for a place. Similar sentiments apply to M'Lord Bishop who coped well with heavy ground when third on debut, leagues clear of the fourth horse. That effort was behind a Jonjo O'Neill hotpot so he should know where he stands with Venetia Williams' horse who will probably need to improve further to score today. The form of his yard is enough for us to overlook Briefcase who has interesting paper credentials but makes his debut in a decent affair, whilst Everdon Brook is another who showed promise on debut but will need to have come on plenty for it. Witch's Hat and, in particular, Florence Kate need a market check with the last named representing a yard who can ready debutant winners but without that guide our ready preference is for Salpierre.
Lucky Sunny (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, tracked leaders over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft beating Bringewood Moll (10-4) by 8l, 9 ran.
Awesome Freddie 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered after 3f, headway 4f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 13l behind Chartreux (10-13) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Bill's Reflection 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 26l behind L'eldorado (11-0) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Briefcase (IRE) Witness Box gelding out of Another Tycoon.
Brucey Baby 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place over 5f out, soon behind, 10th of 15, well behind Saintly Lady (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft.
Everdon Brook (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Ackertac (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mdn NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
M'Lord Bishop (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 8f out, challenged 4f out until 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Full Of Joy (10-11) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Salpierre (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, stumbled and lost place over 4f out, headway when stumbled over 2f out, switched right, kept on well inside final f to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Any The Wiser (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Witch's Hat (IRE) Hubbly Bubbly gelding out of Bold Shilling.
World Watch (IRE) Bob's Return gelding out of Jessica's Pet.
Daisy Buckers (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, well behind Call At Midnight (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f N H flat (5) gd in Oct.
Florence Kate Overbury filly out of Maydoo.
Jo Joe's Lot (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along and hung left over 3f out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 14l behind Deejan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m N H flat (4) sft.
