always towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, one pace and no impression
close up, not fluent 1st, reminder after 5th, weakened and tailed off from 3 out
led and soon clear, headed before 2 out, weakened last
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, pulled up
mid-division, weakend from 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off 4 out
held up towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, never dangerous
towards rear, went poor 5th before 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, easily
mid-division, went 3rd before 2 out, chased winner after last, one pace and no impression
held up behind, pushed along after 5th, tailed off 4 out
always behind
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
COLE HARDEN looks a very nice prospect and it speaks volumes that he was able to win a second bumper under a penalty at Worcester in August, despite pulling hard. The runner-up won by 27 lengths next time and Warren Greatrex' charge can make a winning start over hurdles. Anteros was another useful sort in bumpers and the horse he beat at Plumpton, Cannon Fodder, has already won twice over hurdles. Dark Desire and Generous Ransom should hold their own over timber this season but points winner Shantou Magic and Simply A Legend may do better when tackling longer trips. Benefits Well won at Newton Abbot in June but may struggle under a penalty in this.
Benefits Well (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, led before 2 out, ridden and pressed before last, kept on towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Kilbree Kid (11-0) by nk, 16 ran.
Anteros (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Feb beating Cannon Fodder (10-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Brians Well (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 13, well behind Breaking Bits (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Cole Harden (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Aug beating Western Way (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Dark Desire 9-4 (10-6) Held up in touch, headway to 3rd 3f 3 out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f cond NH flat (5) hvy in Feb beating Shadow Cruise (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Generous Ransom (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Sgt Reckless (11-12) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (6) std in Jan.
Jigsaw Puzzle (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 5th, soon lost place, 9th of 14, 31l behind Bold Chief (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gd in Feb '12.
Kaafel (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 5th, headway 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 21l behind Azure Fly (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Mount Odell 33-1 (10-12) Held up behind, some headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, soon weakened and hung right, 6th of 11, 30l behind Hannibal The Great (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Shantou Magic (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Red Sherlock (10-11) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) sft in Feb.
Simply A Legend 10-3 (10-12) Held up behind, chased leaders under pressure 4f out, went 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Rolling Maul (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
Standing Strong (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, eased final furlong, 13th of 14, 16l behind Dukes Delight (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Aug (flat).
Tomibola (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, jumped left at times, well beaten 3 out, last of 12, well behind Twelve Roses (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Led, ran green 1st bend, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 18l behind Gone Too Far (11-3) at Kempton 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.