Soft ground suits MR SCRUMPY and Jedd O’Keeffe’s five-year-old won a decent handicap over this trip at Wetherby on his return to action – he can defy the penalty. Equus Dancer won a couple of bumpers at the end of last season and finished ahead of a subsequent winner when third here on his hurdling debut. He should be winning soon and makes more appeal than Ayr fourth Taking Flight, the pick of Nicky Richards’ two runners on jockey bookings. Meyer Lansky ran a nice race at Huntingdon without threatening the principals and will know more today.
Mr Scrumpy 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders before 3 out, led 3 out, pressed before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Sakhee's City (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 15 ran.
Equus Dancer (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 10 3/4l behind Glenduff (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Farran Dancer (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place 4th, tailed off, 15th of 16, dist behind Corrieben Reiver (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Holme Abbey 6-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, lost place over 4f out, soon outpaced, ridden over 3f out, modest 4th when edged right inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 21l behind Shanroe (11-0) at Hexham 2m (5) gd in Apr.
Meyer Lansky (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, hampered next, chased leaders 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 15, 12 3/4l behind Do Wanna Know (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Mill Island (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Ribble Valley (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Milvale (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner in dispute of 2nd last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Miah Grace (10-5) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Rollerruler 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, challenged after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, 5th of 7, 17l behind Uncle Jonty (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) hvy in Nov.
Taking Flight (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Close up, tracked leader 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 9l behind Corrieben Reiver (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Danced Every Dance (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 17, dist behind Glenduff (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
