held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon hung right, 2nd briefly well over 1f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out
took keen hold chased leader, led approaching final 5f, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
led until approaching final 5f, ridden and weakened over 3f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, 2nd 5f out until inside final 2f, ridden and went 2nd again well over 1f out, soon hanging left, went left again final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 6f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened approaching final 2f
held up in last pair racing wide, niggled along halfway, headway on wide outside over 2f out, disputing 2nd well over 1f out, 3rd and held when slightly hampered final furlong
took keen hold, held up in touch, headway on inside 4f out, led over 2f out, shaken up and drew clear inside final furlong
A riddle of a race to close as Nicky Henderson, peerless in these contests, runs no less than three of the octet. The market should prove a valuable tool in sorting out the respective chances of the trio, of which Gold Present is the preference at this stage. Rebecca Curtis is another trainer always to be feared in bumpers and with Ruby Walsh having been booked for Preseli Rock, it would be folly to omit the gelding from calculations, especially if the market speaks strongly of his chance. Bekkensfirth is of note too but NO NO MANOLITO created a cracking impression when scoring on his racecourse debut at Fontwell last May and is taken to fend off opposition of considerable potential. He certainly looked one to follow that day and young Charlie Deutsch claims a most valuable 5lb off his back.
No No Manolito (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, led going well over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gd in May beating Puisque Tu Pars (11-5) by 9l, 14 ran.
Bears Rails 16-1 (10-12) Pushed along towards rear, soon struggling, tailed off 5f out, last of 14, well behind Jollyallan (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gs in Apr.
Bekkensfirth Flemensfirth gelding out of Bekkaria.
Georgieshore (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, 30 lengths clear before halfway, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Stonegate (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) sft.
Gold Present (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Ouro Preto.
Granit (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Can't Stop.
Preseli Rock (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Chantoue Royale.
Sugar Baron (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Shuil Oilean.
