held up and keen, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong
led early, chased leaders to 4f out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden 2f out, ran on
in touch, ridden over 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, not much room and switched right inside final furlong, stayed on
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
keen, mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left inside final furlong, no extra
An informative finale with No Regrets and Bumper setting the standard for the newcomers. No Regrets landed a race at Doncaster in fine style for Nicky Henderson and Mick Fitzgerald and while the second was well beaten in the Festival bumper at Cheltenham, No Regrets looked better the further he went and he could be a useful prospect over hurdles in time. Bumper landed some huge bets when backed from 20/1 into 6/1 at Fontwell. He is not in receipt of all the allowances here and will need to have improved again. Strictly speaking, he should not be capable of confirming terms with Matelot as he is favoured at the weights vis-a-vis that showing. Industrial Star is an interesting recruit for Micky Hammond. He cost 115000 guineas as a two-year-old but was sold out of Luca Cumani's yard last Autumn for 6000 guineas. A half-brother to the miler Date, the market is very much viewed on this occasion. Assumptalina is a half-sister to the popular Northern horse, Simply Dashing. She hails from the Richard Phillips team who have already posted a 38% strike rate in contests of this nature this season. Reach For The Top is Henrietta Knight's only horse making the long trip up North from her Wantage stables. No Regrets looks the form pick and we will stick with him in spite of a penalty.
Bumper (FR) 6-1 Held up in mid-division, headway on bit 6f out, led 5f out, ridden 3f out, wandered 2f out, ran on gamely under pressure, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Feb beating Matelot by a hd, 10 ran.
Claymills (IRE) 12-1 Held up and keen, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, 9th of 10, 28l behind Portavadie at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Matelot (FR) 2-1fav Prominent, ridden 4f out, challenged and every chance over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Bumper at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Feb.
No Regrets (FR) 5-2fav Held up in touch, effort and headway over 3f out, ridden and switched right 3f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Doncaster 2m nhf (H) gd beating Oscardeal by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Arumun (IRE) 40-1 Pulled hard, soon chasing leader, ridden and weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 18, 17l behind Sworn In at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gs.
Assumptalina Primitive Rising mare, half-sister to winning hurdler Witches Brew.
Industrial Star (IRE) Singspiel colt, half-brother to two winners on the flat.
Itsdowntoben Karinga Bay gelding, brother to a winning pointer.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 4-1 Held up, headway 4f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 8l behind There Is No Doubt at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Sabreur Thowra gelding, half-brother to several winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
