held up in last place, got in touch, headway to track leaders well over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, chased winner over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
keen, led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
close up, led over 3f out, pushed clear final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, wandered under pressure from over 1f out, weakened final furlong
MOSCOW CATCH, Vacario and The Bonus Ball make most appeal in this bumper to close the card and the vote is given to the first named. Malcolm Jefferson's five-year-old was only beaten a nose by Strong Rebel at Perth last month and a reproduction of that effort may well be good enough to land this event. He will go on the ground and the yard are in good form which further fuels the confidence. Vacario won a bumper on his debut in decent style at Hereford, but this looks a more competitive race and his penalty may just find him out. The Bonus Ball is owned by Barney Curley so if the market were to speak in his favour then it could pay to take the hint. He was well-backed when winning on his racecourse bow and he should again be thereabouts despite his penalty for that success. American World will have to improve from his debut to get competitive, although the soft ground may have been an excuse that day. Moscow Catch has plenty in his favour and he looks the one to beat.
The Bonus Ball (IRE) 2-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 9f out, edged right final furlong, held on well, won at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb beating Awesome George (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Vacario (GER) 9-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on inside 5f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Feb beating Horsham Lad (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
American World (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up, effort over 6f out, ridden and struggling over 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 13, 22l behind Somersby (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Moscow Catch (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division on outside, headway to challenge 7f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Strong Rebel (11-1) at Perth 2m nhf (6) gs in Sept.
Mr Presley (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, no impression, weakened 3f out, 8th of 10, 35l behind Crow Spinney (10-4) at Stratford 2m nhf (5) sft in Sept.
Ok Katie 5-2fav (10-7) In touch until halfway, soon behind, 15th of 16, well behind Bathwick Quest (9-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Aug.
