led after 1f, headed after 3f, led 10f out until 9f out, weakened 3f out
prominent, raced keenly, led after 3f until 10f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling 4f out, tailed off
led 1f, remained with leaders, led 9f out, edged left and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway on outside over 7f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
in touch, weakened 5f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place over 6f out, rallied 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression
held up, headway over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, pushed clear inside final furlong
The bumper rounds off proceedings, and TOPSHAM BELLE is selected here, ahead of Turfenmill and What Bonus. Nicky Henderson's filly in is one of two debutantes in the race, the other being Law Court. It's not a massively confident selection, but none of those that have previously run have shown anything too much to write home about, and the trainer knows the time of day when it comes to these contests. Turfenmill has finished well down the field on his two runs to date in differing conditions, when soft and on polytrack. A faster going and first time blinkers may help. What Bonus was last but one of 15 at Ascot on debut, but that was a better race than this. He's entitled to have come on for that run, but a number of trainers will be having similar thoughts. It's a minimum stakes race for us, and although a market check is essential, tentatively, we'll side with Topsham Belle.
Earlestown Boy 28-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 10, 29l behind Aberdale (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (4) gs in Mar.
What Bonus (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Lost touch halfway, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov.
Bestowed 100-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, dropped out 4f out, 8th of 9, 34l behind Moscow Chieftain (10-11) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Highland Patriot 66-1 (10-9) Always rear, ridden and struggling 5f out, tailed off, 11th of 14, 32l behind Scandal (10-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f 3yo nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Law Court (IRE) Witness Box gelding out of Company Credit.
Sin Citadel 80-1 (10-9) Prominent, weakened 8f out, tailed off final 4f, last of 18, well behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Turfenmill 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 8f out, soon weakened and well behind, 13th of 14, well behind Hudibras (10-9) at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Barlin Bay 250-1 (10-10) Mid-division until weakened over 4f out, 12th of 14, well behind Giordano Bruno (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Topsham Belle (IRE) Presenting filly out of Ara Blend.
