Stick to the tried and tested is the advice for this bumper, with yards that do well in this sphere such as Malcolm Jefferson and Alan Swinbank having runners and it is the latter's TWENTYNINEBLACK that gets the nod ahead of Mr Syntax and Quannapowitt. Not that this is a confident choice, for all three showed promise on debut, but the selection has at least raced on ground with cut in it and he was the only serious threat to the winner that day, so we hope he can improve enough for the experience to take this. Swinbank will have a decent idea of how his charge will fair in relation to Mr Syntax, who finished behind his own Vivona Hill over course and distance last time when receiving 7lbs from the winner. Tim Fitzgerald's runner performed with credit that day however and should be thereabouts again. Quannapowitt has not been seen since a Towcester debut last April when he made the frame in this sphere. The Jefferson yard has perhaps gone off the boil of late and so it might be a bit to ask this gelding to win first time back. Elsewhere on the racecard Hunters Belt is nicely bred and with the yard going well we wouldn't be surprised to see a good debut, and National Heritage should improve for his debut too. Keep an eye on the market regarding the other debutantes, but Twentynineblack gets the vote.
Barron Watlass (IRE) Accordion gelding out of an unraced mare.
Botany Cove Alflora gelding out of Bobs Bay.
Finbar Flynn Dapper gelding out of Clohamon Gossip.
Hunters Belt (IRE) Intikhab gelding, half-sister to Irish Oaks winner Bolas and numerous winners on the Flat.
Mr Syntax (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In touch, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Quannapowitt (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway to track leaders over 3f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, ran green and wandered, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Arturo Uno (11-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Shadrack (IRE) Tamayaz gelding out of Alba Dancer.
Stanley Hall Robertico gelding out of Topcliffe.
Troop The Colour (USA) Theatrical gelding out of 1m2f-1m3f winner Winsome.
Twentynineblack (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, one pace from 2f out, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Bygones of Brid (11-4) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Noz (IRE) Norwich mare out of a once-raced mare.
Quover Bay (FR) Ultimately Lucky filly out of Djeti.
Cunning Clarets (IRE) Trans Island gelding, full brother to Flat winner Charlie Tokyo.
Fridaythorpe (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Calm Waters.
National Heritage 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Donny Briggs (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 6f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Wray Castle (IRE) Desert Prince gelding, half-brother to 3 winners between 1m & 1m2f.
