led, ridden approaching 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4f out, soon outpaced
held up, headway approaching 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, pushed along over 5f out, soon outpaced
mid-division, weakened approaching 3f out
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 4f out
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, one pace
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on inner over 3f out, kept on same pace
always behind, weakened 4f out
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced over 7f out, weakened over 4f out
A wide open bumper closes the card and from a shortlist of GAYE STARLET, Quell The Storm and Strokestown we will side with the first mentioned. Alan King's 5-year-old was a good second on her debut in a bumper at Uttoxeter and she ran very green that day. She should come on plenty for the experience and if she handles the ground then she would be the one to beat. Quell The Storm looks the obvious danger as Paul Nicholls does well with his runners in bumpers and he is part-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. If there is a strong market move for him then it could pay to take the hint. Strokestown has got some solid form and he will love the ground, but he has a penalty for his recent win and on that basis we will take him on. Noel Chance's Jetlag is an interesting newcomer and is worth a market check, but in a race where the market may provide the clues we will side with Gaye Starlet as the pick.
Strokestown 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in touch, challenged 3f out, led and hung left from over 2f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov beating Sir Ian (11-0) by 10l, 14 ran.
Dont Forget Bob (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of Penka.
Double Dash Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of Dashing Executive.
Jetlag (FR) Sleeping Car gelding, half-brother to 2 winners over hurdles and fences.
Paisley Cross (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 17, 18l behind According To Dick (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Quelbal (FR) Ultimately Lucky gelding out of Fanidal.
Quell The Storm (FR) Sleeping Car gelding out of Hot D'or.
Rock The Bock (IRE) Bach gelding out of Kayte Lane.
Bringewood Belle Kayf Tara mare out of Carlingford Belle.
Court Drama 40-1 (10-1) Held up, headway halfway, chased leaders 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, well behind Watching Football (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in May.
Gaye Starlet (IRE) 9-4 (10-8) Held up in touch, chased winner over 3f out, hung left and right over 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Magellan Straits (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Goldvelle (IRE) Goldmark filly out of Montevelle.
Moorlands Teri 66-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden and struggling 6f out, 16th of 20, 34l behind Carole's Legacy (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Apr.
Saulty Max (IRE) Exit To Nowhere filly out of Mardeila.
King Raven (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Zarrafakt (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Know Your Place 11-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 4th of 13, 12l behind Abey M'Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Puddington Bear 40-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, always in rear, 11th of 15, 46l behind Vacario (10-9) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Twinkers (IRE) Lahib gelding out of Gloria di Modena.
