held up, headway to chase leaders 6f out, chased winner from 3f out, kept on well final furlong, no extra close home
keen in mid-division, ran wide to stand side 5f out, weakening quickly when pulled up and dismounted over 2f out
chased leaders, 3rd and every chance 3f out, weakened over 2f out
made all, pushed along over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out, weakened 5f out
mid-division to halfway soon weakened
held up, headway over 6f out, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders for 4f, weakened over 6f out
A Few Kind Words ran with plenty of promise on his debut and has to be respected but is likely to be plenty short enough and preference is for the newcomer Could Be Alright, who gets the verdict over Earth Moving. The last mentioned represents the stable of Paul Nicholls and is clearly though to be capable having been sent off a short-priced favourite for his debut; however, the son of Anshan broke blood vessels that day so is a risky proposition. John Upson's Gritti Palace has shown promise in both starts so far so has to be respected along with Royal Coburg, who represents the stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies that has a good record in bumpers. Mistress Nell and Brandy Bay are others to consider but the vote goes to Could Be Alright. The selection hails from the yard of Noel Chance that knows how to ready one for a bumper and looks a likely type on pedigree being a Witness Box half-brother to a winning pointer out of a dam that is from the same family as Golden Freeze. He may be good enough to make a winning debut.
Could Be Alright (IRE) Witness Box gelding out of an unraced mare.
Earth Moving (IRE) 13-8fav Held up, headway halfway, ridden and weakened over 4f out, eased final 2f, broke blood vessel, 11th of 12, well behind Little Saltee at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 25-1 Chased leaders, pushed along after 6f, weakened 2f out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Billyandi at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft.
Royal Coburg (IRE) 16-1 Chased leaders, reminders halfway, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 15, 27l behind Mendo at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
A Few Kind Words (IRE) 12-1 Held up and keen, headway after 6f, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Dancing Partner at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Mistress Nell 22-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 18, 9l behind Gay Gladys at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (H) gs.
Brandy Bay 25-1 Chased leaders, outpaced 5f out, stayed on from 2f out, 7th of 18, 26l behind Noland at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs.
South Sands (IRE) 16-1 Led until saddle slipped and headed after 2f, stayed in touch until weakened over 4f out, 14th of 15, well behind Youwontcatchmenow at Chepstow 2m mrs nhf (H) sft in Feb.
