keen, towards rear, some progress approaching 4 out, beaten from 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden, close up 3 out, weakened 2 out
lost touch 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led after 4th, ridden, headed 2 out, hanging left when fell last
led, headed after 4th, weakened 4 out
in touch, chasing leader when pecked 4 out, weakened next
held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, keen, lost touch after 4th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, left clear last
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, staying on when left clear 2nd, hampered last, always held
lost touch after 4th
towards rear, ridden after 4th, some progress through beaten horses
prominent when unseated rider 1st
mid-division, headway after 4th, staying on from 3 out, left poor 3rd last
This race should be dominated by some promising bumper horses and connections of I Hear A Symphony will be disappointed if he can't pay back a fraction of his 260,000 gns purchase price at the first time of asking. Definite Edge is the obvious threat with Into The Wild, Linlithgow and Quelclasse others that take the eye. The selection made an encouraging debut, finishing second to eventual Cheltenham Champion Bumper fifth Fiveforthree, before getting off the mark in pleasing fashion from another useful sort at Limerick in May. He's been given plenty of time by his new connections, holds a Cheltenham Festival entry and will be expected to run a big race. Paul Nicholls has an enviable record here and Definite Edge has done well in bumpers since joining him from Willie Musson. He's sure to have been well schooled and is an obvious contender. Into The Wild was beaten a long way by smart prospect The Old Pretender in a Huntingdon bumper but that was a promising introduction and he's one to keep an eye on with regard to the future. That comment also applies to Flat maidens Quelclasse and Linlithgow but I Hear A Symphony is a potentially smart recruit who's taken to open his account at the first time of asking.
Call Me Sir (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Big Fella Thanks (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Cornish Flame 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, 8th of 14, 34l behind Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Definite Edge (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 10f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft in Jan beating Vilcabamba (10-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
El Alamein (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden along over 4f out, soon behind, last of 15, well behind Compton Dragon (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct (Flat).
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, headway to lead over 5f out, ridden and stayed on well straight, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m nhf gd in May beating Taipan's Way (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Ilewin Tom 100-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 3rd, headed before next, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Masked Man (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Into The Wild (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, progress over 7f out, chased winner over 3f out, beaten over 2f out, 2nd of 11, 18l behind The Old Pretender (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Mapledurham (IRE) 200-1 (10-11) Mid-division and keen, headway 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Forest Pennant (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 16 ran.
Nearly Sixty Lujain gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Abbot and 2m4f/hurdles winner Grotto.
Osolomio (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, 43l behind Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Sea Robber (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, 12th of 15, well behind Dragon Eye (10-11) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Synchronised (IRE) Sadler's Wells gelding, brother to winning hurdler/chaser Fourball.
Poppy Smith 50-1 (10-10) Prominent, weakened 3f out, 7th of 14, 11l behind Fresh Air And Fun (10-13) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May.
Jafaru 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 36l behind Stellino (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Linlithgow (IRE) 15-2 (8-2) Mainly in rear, 8th of 11, 6l behind Squadron (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 6f 3yo mdn hcp (5) gd in Jun (Flat).
Quelclasse (FR) (10-1) Led, ran on when pressed over 1f out, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, shd behind Quick Net (10-3) at Saumur 1m 4f stk gd in Oct (Flat).
