rear of mid-division, green and struggling 4f out, stayed on from 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, led after 3f, headed 10f out, led again 4f out, headed 2f out, lost 2nd towards finish, kept on
took keen hold, prominent, steadied after 2f, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression 2f out
led 3f, led again 10f out, headed 4f out, weakened from over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, close up 2f out, 4th and beaten inside final 100 yards
prominent, pushed along over 6f out, lost place 4f out
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, raced keenly, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, led 2f out, stayed on, ridden out
This is a competitive bumper but Nicky Henderson has saddled five of the last 10 winners and it’s reasonable to expect plenty of improvement from HIGH WORTH’s second at Warwick five weeks ago. There are six previous winners in the contest, however, so the Universal gelding won’t find it easy. Paul Nicholls runs easy Exeter winner Flemenstide and Lock Down Luke’s second at Carlisle in the autumn has worked out well. Masaccio made a winning debut at Doncaster and makes more appeal than Argonauta and Drumbear but the debutant Home Fire is worth a market check as he’s not the type normally associated with his yard being a well-bred son of Frankel out of a Nell Gwyn winner.
Argonauta (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Stumbled slightly early on, held up towards rear, headway on outside turning for home, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan beating Keep Kidding (10-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Drumbear 13-2 (12-2) Prominent, soon tracked leader, on terms halfway and led over 6f out, joined when brushed rail over 2f out, pushed along to lead again over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Downpatrick 2m 1f Yielding in Mar beating Tempo Chapter Two (12-2) by 3l, 12 ran.
Flemenstide (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Made all, shaken up 2f out, clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 1f (5) sft in Jan beating Top Of The Bill (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lock Down Luke 18-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed final 75 yards, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Peking Rose (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Grand Voyage (FR) (11-6) Tr ldrs, mstk 4th, 3rd 1/2way, 5th aftr 5out, 6th & rdn bef str, still 6th bef last, kow late, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Comes Recommended (11-6) at Monksgrange 3m mdn gd in Sep.
Home Fire Frankel gelding out of Hot Snap.
Hackberry 4-1jfav (11-1) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and beaten inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Creggan White Hare (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
Masaccio (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, smooth headway to press leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, went clear close home, won at Doncaster 1m 5f (5) gs in Nov beating Arthur's Seat (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
High Worth (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 10f out, went 2nd over 3f out, no impression on winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Mansoline (10-9) at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Mar.
Vina Ardanza (IRE) Califet gelding out of Go Noble.
