led until ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out
always prominent from 3f out, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden along halfway, soon behind
in touch until weakened 5f out
held up mid-divsion, ridden and headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ran wide after 2f, soon back in touch to chase leaders 2f out, soon weakened
keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5f out
held up mid-division, headway on stands side 4f out, led over 3f out, soon clear, very easily
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leader 2f out, soon one pace
behind, headway 7f out, soon one pace
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
keen in mid-division, behind final 5f
mid-division until lost place after 3f, pulled up after 6th
keen, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 7f out
In an interesting bumper, we will side with Could Be Al right, but dangers certainly include Leading Contender, Scalini'S and Supremely Smart. From a stable that does well in these types of races, the selection showed plenty of promise when just beaten on his debut, over course and distance on heavy going with the pair having pulled clear of the others. Gold Vic is well-bred for this game so watch the betting for clues, while Here We Go showed plenty of promise on his debut over course and distance but then ran poorly at Bangor. The Paul Nicholls-trained In His Dreams has to be given some thought, as does Philip Hobbs' well bred Leading Contender. Beautifully-bred for the Flat, Scalini'S went to Worcester last year with a big reputation but finished second. However, the trainer's runners were under a cloud at the time and he should have much better to come. Supremely Smart cost 55,000 guineas and catches the eye on breeding (the stable also runs Asudo, who is related to a bumper winner), while Haydock bumper winner Arumun has to be granted consideration as that rates as decent-enough bumper form. Finally, Brave Jo is an interesting French-bred newcomer. It all adds up to an interesting bumper, certainly for this time of the season, and Could Be Al right might just provide the answer.
Arumun (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Soon led, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar beating Bumper (11-4) by 3l, 12 ran.
Asudo (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Nugget Moss.
Brave Jo (FR) Villez gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over jumps.
Cornish Jack Thowra gelding out of an unraced mare.
Could Be Alright (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up, headway to chase leaders 6f out, chased winner from 3f out, kept on well final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Royal Coburg (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Mar.
Gold Vic (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of an unraced mare.
Graig Hill Cracker (IRE) Michelozzo gelding out of an unraced mare.
Here We Go (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 15, 16l behind Mr Pointment (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Leading Contender (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of a once-raced mare.
Scalini's (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 4f out, soon ridden, hung left and no impression from 2f out, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Rio San Vio (11-6) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Sept '04.
Supremely Smart (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Icy Blast.
The Baillie (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division and keen, headway halfway, ridden to chase leading pair 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Flinders Bay (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Thenford Lord (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon outpaced, no danger after, 4th of 12, 29l behind Fourty Acers (11-1) at Stratford 2m nhf (H) gd in Sept.
Judy The Drinker 16-1 (10-1) Hung badly right after 2f and ran out in race won by Shakerattleandroll (11-1) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun, 12 ran.
Little Word 4-5fav (11-9) unseated rider in race won by I Am Convinced (12-0) at Trecoed 3m ptp gd in Jun, 5 ran.
In His Dreams 3-1 (11-7) fell in race won by Brown Cockle (11-7) at Woodford 3m ptp sft in Apr, 15 ran.
