held up in rear, headway over 4f out, pressing for 2nd when not clear run over 1f out, hanging left and not much room inside final furlong, kept on but unable to challenge
took keen hold, in touch in mid-division, pushed along 7f out, lost place over 5f out
led, headed over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not quite able to get back to winner
tracked leaders, took keen hold, pushed along over 5f out, lost place over 3f out
prominent, lost place 4f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, pressing for 2nd and edged right over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, pushed along over 5f out, lost place over 3f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, not pace of leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
in touch in mid-division, closed 7f out, challenged 5f out, led over 3f out, driven out inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 7f out, well beaten final 5f
held up in mid-division, ridden over 6f out, struggling final 5f
Bumpers featuring so many promising previous winners are inevitably competitive but SUMKINDOFKING (NAP) could not have been more impressive when scoring on his first start for Tom George at Chepstow and it's no surprise to see him thrust into this demanding company. The son of King's Theatre is certainly bred for the job and with fitness guaranteed is preferred to Bags Groove. The latter progressed run-by-run in bumpers for Harry Fry last term but has been absent since early March and may possibly just need this. He is, however, one to follow closely this season. Brahms De Clermont overcame trouble in running to score here at the last meeting and should give a good account as he seeks to maintain an unblemished record, whilst recent winners Boreham Bill and Poetic Rhythm also make some appeal.
Allez Sea (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Held up in rear at slow pace early, good headway on outer 2f out to chase leaders, 2nd 1f out, soon led, ridden out to assert and clear closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Oct beating Autumn Showers (12-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Ballymountain Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 6f out, 2nd 5f out, pushed along and every chance from over 2f out until ridden and jumped path over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Misterton (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Boreham Bill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in Oct beating Bandsman (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Brahms De Clermont (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, not much room over 7f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Brillare Momento (10-7) by nk, 16 ran.
Gustave Mahler (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Made virtually all, pressed 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Jun beating Novemberstorm (10-11) by 3l, 10 ran.
Imperial Eloquence (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon pressed winner, every chance over 1f out, kept on, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Tyrrell's Succes (11-0) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Apr.
La Cavsa Nostra (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Pharenna.
Mountain Rock (IRE) 13-8 (11-13) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, closer 6f out, 2nd approaching straight and pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Dr Mikey (12-0) at Tipperary 2m sft in Oct.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Twist On Ginge (11-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
Toffee Holland 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, in rear, pushed along 5f out, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Turn Turk (10-5) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Jun.
Woodfort 5-1 (11-7) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression on leaders, 4th of 16, 11 1/4l behind Brahms De Clermont (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Bags Groove (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed last strides, rallied, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Sam's Adventure (10-13) at Newbury 2m (2) sft in Mar.
Cirano De Sivola (FR) 5-4 (11-0) A.p; led 11; comf, won at Larkhill 2m 4f mdn gs in Feb beating Goodnitesweetheart (11-7) by 5l, 4 ran.
Mere Ironmonger 5-2fav (11-3) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Gibbes Bay (10-10) at Ayr 2m (3) gs in Apr.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Soon led, headed after 1f, chased leaders, led over 3f out, clear over 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Nov beating Eaton Hill (11-0) by 12l, 7 ran.
