pulled hard early, held up towards rear, came very wide into straight, ridden and beaten over 4f out
took keen hold early, held up in rear, headway on inside 5f out, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, headway halfway, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
always behind, lost touch final 6f, tailed off
held up, headway 10f out, went 2nd over 6f out, to over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
chased leader to over 6f out, went 2nd again over 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner well inside final furlong
behind, headway after 4f, weakened over 5f out
chased leaders, weakened 9f out, tailed off
keen hold in mid-division, headway over 5f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway on inside over 4f out, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on
held up mid-divison, ridden and headway over 5f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
There are plenty in with chances in the bumper but our pick is High Calibre, while Notre Cyborg, The Big Canadian and Goscar Rock are not without chances and all make the shortlist. High Calibre runs in the Gay Smith colours, which were carried to victory by Black Jack Ketchum last Friday. This 49,000 guineas son of Definite Article can make a winning racecourse debut and any market support would be especially interesting. Of those that have already run, The Big Canadian is of most interest. He was disappointing last time out behind Wichita Lineman at Newbury, but he made an impressive debut at Haydock, staying on well to win close home. Notre Cyborg represents the in-form Paul Nicholls stable. He won as you like at Fontwell last time, but that was a weak bumper and it is difficult to work out how good that form is. Goscar Rock ran well when third behind a well fancied Nicholls-trained horse around here last time and he could be the main threat to High Calibre.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 4-11fav (10-13) Held up, smooth headway over 4f out, challenged on bit 3f out, led going easily 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Feb beating Beths Choice (10-11) by 7l, 5 ran.
The Big Canadian (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Keen in touch, chased leaders 6f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 21, 29l behind Wichita Lineman (10-13) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Apatura Dik Deltic gelding out of winning chaser Apatura Hati.
Bin Farmin Riverwise gelding, brother to winning jumper Kittenkat.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Pulled hard, prominent, with winner from 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Paix Eternelle (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Goscar Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Always prominent, led briefly over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Hot 'n' Holy (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Lappeenranta (IRE) Presenting gelding, half-brother to a dual hurdle/chase winner.
Marcus Silver Patriarch gelding, half brother to a winning hurdler. Dam won over fences.
Mr Freeze (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden over 7f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Carthys Cross (10-8) at Southwell 2m nhf (H) gd in May '04.
Nictos de Bersy (FR) Useful gelding out of a winning hurdler.
Sound Accord (IRE) Accordion gelding out of Shuil Na Lee, half brother to bumper/hurdle and chase winner River City.
Extra Bold Overbury gelding out of a winning racemare.
Maori Legend Midnight Legend mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
High Calibre (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Tihui Two (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Started slowly, led after 1f, ridden well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Apollo Lady (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (6) gd in Feb.
She's A Player Bandmaster mare out of an unraced mare.
