mid-division on inside, headway going well upsides leaders 3f out, ridden to press leader over 1f out, soon led, ran on well final 100 yards
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced home turn, some headway from off pace 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on well final 100 yards
mid-division, pushed along and could not go pace of leaders 4f out, plugged on in distant 3rd
chased leader on inside, ridden and outpaced 4f out, late headway for distant 4th
led, ridden and hard pressed 3f out, soon headed, weakened thereafter
mid-division out wide, pushed along and weakened rapidly 5f out
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 4f out, plugged on from 2f out
rear of mid-division, pushed along and made no impression 5f out, behind 3f out
prominent, pushed along and outpaced 5f out, weakened 3f out
always towards rear, never involved
always towards rear, tailed off
Several leading NH yards have runners in this bumper. Fergal O’Brien’s Old Beginnings was second in a point last April but others may have more pace. Idefix De Ciergues was second here in December but disappointed on a return visit and Cawthorne Banker is also looking a little exposed, though he’s not done a lot wrong in three runs to date. Kruger Park was a shade keen at Hereford while Choccabloc was given plenty to do at Wincanton but the latter has almost 10 lengths to find with Beat The Bat. HOME FREE ran green at Wetherby but kept on to finish second to a well-backed winner and can go one better here.
Beat The Bat (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, briefly outpaced and pushed turning for home, travelled strongly into lead entering home straight, soon headed and ridden, battled back to hit front inside final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 17, shd behind Golden Ace (10-7) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Dec.
Cawthorne Banker (IRE) 16-5 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along and chased leaders 3f out, ridden and pressed winner over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Norman Fletcher (10-3) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jan.
Choccabloc 10-3 (11-0) Slightly better than midfield, outpaced and pushed turning for home, responded to pressure and went 3rd before final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 17, 10 1/4l behind Golden Ace (10-7) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Dec.
Hay Up Harry Native Ruler gelding out of Rabbit.
Home Free (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) In rear of mid-division, shaken up and steady headway from over 4f out, ridden along 3f out, went second over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Tarras Wood (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Idefix De Ciergues (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Led, headed 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, eased, 8th of 10, dist behind Fingle Bridge (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Kruger Park (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Raced wide led, ridden and headed 3f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Alcedo (11-2) at Hereford 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Le Bon Vivant (FR) Doctor Dino gelding out of School Of Thought.
Muskoka (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened from 3f out, 7th of 14, 29 1/2l behind Willmount (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Old Beginnings (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 4th from 5th, 7l 3rd 6out, went 2nd aftr 3out, 2 1/2l 2nd & no ex bef last, nt mtch easy wnr, 2nd of 12, 5 1/2l behind Myretown (12-2) at Dromahane 3m mdn sft in Apr.
Starvidov (FR) 15-2 (11-2) Held up in last pair, never involved, 5th of 7, 36l behind Heros De Romay (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) hvy in Jan.
Cosmore 80-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway on outside 9f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 36 1/2l behind Diesel Line (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) gd in Feb.
Gypsy Hill Blue Bresil M out of Minnie Hill.
Sweet Saffron 150-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, always behind, 8th of 14, dist behind Beachcomber (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Haafbourd 40-1 (11-7) Held up in touch in rear on outside, closed 7f out, pushed along over 3f out, 3rd and well held final 2f, one pace, 3rd of 5, 12 1/4l behind Shinji (10-5) at Fakenham 2m (5) gs in Nov.
