took keen hold, soon led, headed 4f out, driven and lost place turning in, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, driven 3f out, never on terms, ridden and weakened over 1f out
never better than mid-division
mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out
in touch, lost place 6f out, soon behind, tailed off
prominent, disputed lead 6f out, ridden turning in, outpaced over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leader turning in, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression final furlong
led early, remained prominent on outside, driven and lost place turning in, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, driven and headway into mid-division 3f out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders
held up behind, still plenty to do turning in, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
held up in touch, tracked leaders over 3f out, shaken up to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, stayed on well
held up behind, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and stayed on to chase front pair inside final furlong, no impression
held up, always behind, struggling over 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
NonRunner
There are four previous bumper winners in this but all carry penalties with A Book Of Intrigue having 7lb extra. Mahler's Promise may be the best of that quartet but there are some choicely-bred newcomers to racing in opposition and also several with form between the flags. Barbados Buck's, a brother to bumper and hurdles winner Barbados Blue, is one of the latter and he is bidding to give the Paul Nicholls’ yard a third win in this in eight years. BUTTE MONTANA is the first foal to race of a mare that won a Punchestown bumper on debut. He is by Presenting so is bred for the job and can give Fergal O’Brien a third straight win in this normally-informative contest. The Newest One is a half-brother to the stable’s champion bumper and hurdler The New One so is of obvious interest and Time Flies By is also worth a market check.
A Book Of Intrigue 11-2 (11-7) Keen early, tracked leader, effort over 2f out, ridden to lead when hung left inside final furlong, driven out, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gs in Jun beating Winter Holiday (10-7) by 3l, 6 ran.
Arctic Valley (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, driven and outpaced when lost place turning in, ridden over 1f out, no impression in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 8, 7 1/2l behind Took The Lot (10-12) at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Aug.
Jac Brown 7-2 (11-2) In touch in rear, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Ffos Las 2m (5) gd in May beating Pebbly New Moon (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Mahler's Promise (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, drew clear approaching final furlong, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Jun beating Volunteer (11-2) by 9l, 6 ran.
Arc Of Bubbles (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Bubble Bann.
Barbados Buck's (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 5th 1/2way, 4l 3rd frm 6out, ld 4out, hdd 2out, 1 1/2l 2nd bef last, no ex early flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Skatman (11-6) at Dromahane 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Butte Montana (IRE) Presenting gelding out of My Cool Lady.
Grumpy Charley 10-3 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind Merchant House (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Mustang Alpha (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs until 5th frm 5th, smooth prog 3out, went 2nd bef 2out, ld bef last, row to go clr flat, in command, won at Bartlemy 3m mdn gd in May beating Straw Fan Jack (11-11) by 6l, 11 ran.
Sabbathical (FR) 7-2 (10-10) A.p; led 12 til hdd 2 out; no ex flat, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind The Triple Pillar (11-10) at Garthorpe 3m mdn in Mar.
Stimulating Song 9-4 (11-0) Held up in last, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind On The Wild Side (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Sep.
The Newest One (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Thuringe.
Time Flies By (IRE) Getaway gelding out of What A Mewsment.
Lady In Hiding (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders 7f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, no impression when hung left and lost 2nd approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Getariver (11-5) at Newbury 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Secret Court (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Ww, 4th 1/2way, smooth prog to jn ldrs app 4out, sn ld, sprinted clr app str, kow from last, won at Stradbally 3m mdn gf in May beating Star Status (11-11) by dist, 6 ran.
Big G 9-2 (10-10) Chased leaders on outside, 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Hazm (10-10) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Carys' Commodity 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway from 8f out, challenged over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ducked right to paddock exit about 110 yards out, headed and unseated rider, at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Sep.
Castledhem (IRE) 2-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, slight lead over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Milkwood (11-2) at Fontwell 1m 6f (5) gd in Apr.
Wee Goldie 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, in touch 7f out, closed 3f out, challenged over 1f out, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Holly James (11-2) at Kelso 2m (5) gd in May.
Bit On The Side (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Always prominent, pressing winner final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Urban Artist (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
