in touch after 2f, took narrow lead over 2f out, soon edged left, headed over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, regained lead towards finish
always behind, no chance final 5f, tailed off and pulled up over 2f out
chased leaders, stuck to inside after 3f away from remainder, hung left final 5f, weakened 3f out
took keen hold mid-division, headway after 7f, weakened 4f out
prominent, weakened over 3f out
prominent, weakened 4f out
always prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, one pace
in rear, struggling and no chance final 5f, tailed off and pulled up over 1f out
held up, pushed along over 7f out, never nearer
mid-division, headway after 6f, lost place 7f out, soon given reminder, back in touch over 4f out, every chance well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and behind, headway over 6f out, challenged going well over 2f out, shake up to lead and edged right over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, headed towards finish
took keen hold in touch, dropped out halfway, tailed off
led to halfway, weakened quickly inside final 3f
in touch, niggled along after 6f, soon dropped out, tailed off
There were excuses for a poor debut from The Hollinwell last time at Bangor, but his conqueror that day Nulato did nothing wrong and is probably capable of defying a penalty here to go in again. Alan King's runners continue in great nick and Nulato won a fairly open debut when battling on well to get up close home. There will probably have to be some improvement here, but that looks more than likely, so he is given the nod. Ferdy Murphy-trained The Hollinwell was not unfancied for that same race but whipped around at the start and lost far too much ground to be a threat, so he was allowed to come home in his own time. A better effort is expected. Peter Winkworth's runners are in good shape, so Ale House looks capable to going close, while Little George is bred to take well to the game and is worth a look in the market, as are Job One and Phantom Du Lac. However, Nulato looks the one they all have to beat in this bumper.
Nulato (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, chased leader over 1f out, led post, won at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec beating Jokers Legacy (10-13) by a shd, 9 ran.
Accasbrook (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of Sallo Tune.
Ale House (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 16, 9l behind Gypsy Scholar (10-10) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Billy Smith Suluk gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Boomerang Bud 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 15, 47l behind Or Bleu (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gf in May.
Job One (FR) 9-2 (10-13) In rear, pushed along after 4f, struggling from halfway, 8th of 12, 45l behind Definite Edge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft.
Little George (IRE) Heron Island gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Sterling Stewart.
Mattie Stokes 33-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 9f out, ridden 6f out, weakened 4f out, 13th of 15, 47l behind The Package (10-12) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Phamtom du Lac (FR) Phantom Breeze gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Shield of Zeus (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 7f out, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 15, 15l behind Dragon Eye (10-11) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
The Hollinwell 13-2 (11-2) Whipped around start, well behind, headway but still last halfway, lost touch 5 out, last of 9, 45l behind Nulato (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Flirty Babe 16-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off over 5f out, last of 11, well behind Bakbenscher (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Sur La Valise 100-1 (10-8) In rear, behind when hung badly right from over 6f out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Tuckers Mist Samraan filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Champagne Star Midnight Legend filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Dont Be Cross (IRE) Cape Cross gelding out of a moderate racemare.
