led 3f, remained prominent, led again over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, forged clear inside final furlong, unextended, impressive
behind, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded
pulled hard, soon prominent, led after 3f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon outpaced
pulled hard in touch, weakened over 3f out
Viking Chief went to Perth for a bumper when trained by Howard Johnson in 2011 and started favourite but couldn't get close to Dome Run, who was well beaten subsequently. FAIR LOCH joined Elaine Burke for £45,000 after a couple of reasonable runs last spring and, as he is likely to show some improvement, he's handed the vote in a race that shouldn't take much winning. Ivan Boru disappointed here in January after a promising start over the course and distance the previous month. Knockturnal is related to a decent winning bumper and is one to note but Table Bluff was beaten a long way on his debut at Ludlow and will need to do better.
Alls It Is 14-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, in 5th over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 29l behind Orchard Boy (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m Maiden Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AW) (5) std in Jan.
Call Him Something (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of Stoned Imaculate.
Fair Loch 14-1 (10-5) Held up in touch in rear, headway 6f out, went 2nd brielfy over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace entering final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Billy Twyford (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Ivan Boru (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch and keen, tracked leaders halfway, went 2nd over 7f out, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Johnny Og (10-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Viking Chief (IRE) 13-8fav (10-7) Held up in touch, challenged 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Dome Run (10-10) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr '11.
Wishfull Dancer (IRE) Hawk Wing gelding out of Sun Slash.
Billericay Allstar 66-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off halfway, 8th of 10, well behind Brijomi Queen (10-13) at Kelso 2m mrs N H flat (6) hvy.
Knockturnal (IRE) Refuse To Bend mare out of Knocktartan.
Optical High Rainbow High gelding out of Forsweets.
Politeness (FR) 28-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 15, 24l behind Master Red (10-5) at Wetherby 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) sft in Dec.
Table Bluff (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Chased leader until over 2f out, soon pushed along, outpaced final 2f, 4th of 5, 16l behind Centasia (11-4) at Ludlow 1m 6f NH flat (5) sft in Jan.
Noah's Wife Oscar filly out of Ostfanni.
