took keen hold in touch, chased leaders under pressure over 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off when virtually pulled up final 2f
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 4f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
held up in rear, steady headway from 6f out, chased clear leading pair approaching final furlong until inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 4f out, stayed on to take moderate 3rd inside final furlong
raced green, chased leaders, driven along over 3f out, soon weakened
ran green in mid-division, headway on wide outside 5f out, in touch when ran very wide bend approaching straight and soon weakened
chased leaders, led 6f out, narrowly headed just inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong but always held
held up in rear, never in contention
led to 6f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon outpaced
in mid-division when broke down, pulled up and dismounted 9f out
close up, went 2nd over 5f out, led narrowly just inside final 2f, ridden out final furlong
As is often the case in bumpers, there is not a lot for backers to go on here and, while winning pointer Quarry Town has to be respected, Henrietta Knight's gelding may need more time so preference is for Crocodiles Rock with Psychomodo rated the best of the rest. The selection is related to a couple of two mile hurdle winners and trainer Jonjo O'Neill is more than capable of producing one to win first time out in this grade. Carl Llewellyn can do little wrong with his runners at present so Buala Bos has to be respected as does Colin Tizzard's recent Plumpton third Wise Men Say. Colin Tinkler's runners in this grade always warrant respect and King Ar Aghaidh is no exception, while Psychomodo has shown a similar level of form in both starts and should be thereabouts again if fit enough. Plenty of these could be good enough to win but it is Crocodiles Rock that gets the vote to do so.
Arthur Parker Cloudings gelding out of winning hurdler Black H'Penny.
Ballyman (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 12, 18l behind Carlitos (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (6) gf.
Buala Bos (IRE) Oscar gelding out of an unraced dam from family of Sun Alliance Chase winner Brief Gale.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) Heron Island gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler He's My Man.
Crown Gamble Silver Patriarch gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Green Gamble.
Darksideofthemoon (IRE) Accordion gelding out of Supreme Valentine.
Forest Silver 11-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on steadily final 2f, 4th of 10, 10l behind Tisseman (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct.
King Ar Aghaidh (IRE) King's Theatre horse, half-brother to numerous winners over jumps and in bumpers.
Little Alf Alflora gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Psychomodo 2-1fav (10-13) Held up, headway on outside 7f out, carried right on bend 4f out, every chance and one pace from 2f out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Golden Streak (10-13) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May.
Quarry Town (IRE) (11-7) Prominent, left in lead last, joined line, won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp gs in Apr deadheating with Super Mate (11-7), 15 ran.
Schemer Fagan (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 7f out, stayed on from 3f out, went 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Painter Man (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (6) frm in Apr.
Spirit of Man (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Jay Lo.
Templars (IRE) (11-7) Prominent, disputing lead when left clear last, won at Butlerstown 3m ire ptp gf in Apr beating Pocket Aces (11-7) by 5l, 13 ran.
Wise Men Say (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 4f out, chased leading pair final 3f, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Haligreen (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Reengaroga Rainbow (IRE) Freddie's Star mare, half-sister to winning chaser Pancho's Tango and winning hurdler Magalina.
