chased leaders to after 1st, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway 5th, led on bit approaching 3 out, ridden last, just held on
soon pushed along in rear, plenty to do when stayed on from over 2f out, hard ridden when quickened after last, just failed
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always prominent, chased leaders until led approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before last
always in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat
led until headed and weakened after 8th, tailed off and pulled up after last
held up towards rear, headway 6th, lost action 7th, pulled up before next
behind, slight effort 8th, never nearer
The shortlist contains Micky Cole, Dunbell Boy, Mac Dargin, Midnight Gold and Zipalong Lad, with the vote going to Micky Cole. A half-brother to smart winning chaser Jungli plus a winning hurdler, the Paul Nicholls-trained Micky Cole looks one of the more likely types here and, accordingly, can go well. Irish import Dunbell Boy showed promise in bumpers last season and is one to consider, as is the Nigel Twiston-Davies newcomer Mac Dargin, particularly given that this is a modest affair. Midnight Gold is the best of those to have achieved a rating and is very much respected and, finally, Zipalong Lad would hold claims on the best of his bumper efforts. Overall, though, we will side with Micky Cole.
Denarius Secundus 11-2 (9-12) In touch until 6th, soon behind, 4th of 6, 30l behind Altitude Dancer (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Dunbell Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Always prominent, led over 7f out, strongly pressed straight, headed 1f out, 3rd and no extra close home, 3rd of 20, 4l behind Of Course (11-11) at Tipperary 2m 4f nhf sft in Apr.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Prominent unitl weakened 4f out, 5th of 11, 38l behind Royal Coburg (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Mar.
Knight of The Road (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 24l behind Thyne For Intersky (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Mac Dargin (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) 3rd of 12, 16l behind Portavo (11-7) at Loughanmore 3m ptp gs in Oct '04.
Micky Cole (IRE) (12-0) won at Dungarvan 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan beating Gaora Gale (12-0) by a nk, 9 ran.
Midnight Gold 50-1 (10-9) Always behind, 6th of 12, 50l behind The Cool Guy (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gs.
Zipalong Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led, headed 7f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 16th of 19, 20l behind Young Dude (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Apr.
Little Word 66-1 (10-4) Keen, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 7f out, 8th of 15, 49l behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs.
