not always fluent, left tracking winner from 1st, ridden and no impression after 3 out, lost 2nd before next
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, hit 5th, effort when not fluent 3 out, no chance with winner, went 3rd last
jinked left and unseated rider 1st
held up, closed 4th, ridden after 3 out, no chance with winner, modest 5th 2 out
went left at times, made all, clear before 4 out, easily
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 4th, no chance with when taking 2nd before 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Bolving and Solighoster made winning starts in bumpers last year. The former has not raced since April but both are related to winners over hurdles and could go well. ACCORD has been placed in all three starts over timber with a creditable third at Cheltenham in October behind a couple of subsequent winners his best effort so far. David Bridgewater’s charge may well be up to winning this and gets the vote. The remainder are harder to fancy unless Sergio improves now hurdling for the first time.
Bolving (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, outpaced over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 17, dist behind Bacardys (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Faheem 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, dist behind Templier (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Fulgus (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Pulled hard tracking leader, weakened over 5f out, 9th of 12, dist behind Ballymountain Boy (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Dec.
Jebs Gamble (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, always towards rear, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Benatar (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Robindenest (IRE) 250-1 (11-6) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Solighoster (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, chased winner over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Ballymountain Boy (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Dec.
Versifier 50-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, no chance when blundered last, 7th of 14, dist behind My Khaleesi (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Accord (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leader until pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next where left modest 3rd and hampered, 3rd of 7, 17 1/4l behind No Comment (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Sergio (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Senatus (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (6) gd in Nov.