chased leaders, 2nd when not fluent 3 out, not much room before next, one pace after, no extra flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, well beaten after 5th
held up in rear, well beaten before 3 out
tracked leader, led after 5th, headed before last, rallied flat, held towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and lost place before 5th, soon behind
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, well beaten before 3 out
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
held up towards rear, struggling 5th, well behind when pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, modest 6th 2 out
took keen hold, led until after 5th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 4th, ridden before 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on, unable to challenge
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened well before next
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace in 5th when not fluent 2 out, no extra
Placed in four starts in bumpers, Bandsman continued the trend when runner-up at Kempton on his recent hurdling bow. Bridget Andrews’ 3lb allowance helps him out today but THE BLUE BOMBER is still preferred. The latter was second in one of these events at Fakenham last month when ahead of a subsequent winner and that form looks strong enough to land this. The Caller makes his hurdling debut having won a bumper at Fakenham with Calva D'honore a well beaten third while Brave Jaq and Alexander The Grey have both placed in novice hurdles with the latter having the more recent form.
Alexander The Grey 25-1 (11-0) Chased front pair, not fluent 2 out, ridden to chase winner between last 2, never on terms, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Ozzie The Oscar (11-8) at Wetherby 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Brave Jaq (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Led after 1st until 2 out, chased winner until approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, 8 1/4l behind McKenzie's Friend (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Braw Angus Alflora gelding out of Suilven.
Calva D'honore (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Led, headed 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind The Caller (11-4) at Fakenham 2m (6) gd in Oct.
Chap 14-1 (10-12) Keen, held up in rear, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Al Reesha (10-5) at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Commanding Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 5th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Joe Farrell (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Finula (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Soon led, headed 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Pateen (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in May.
Little Vic 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened 4f out, 9th of 12, dist behind Westend Story (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Mixchievous 20-1 (11-0) Held up, jumped right 1st, pushed along when not fluent 2nd, well behind when jumped right 4th, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Vinciaettis (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
The Blue Bomber 9-4fav (11-0) Jumped right throughout, led, jumped badly right 3 out, hit next, ridden and headed soon after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Eamon An Cnoic (11-0) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
The Caller 6-4fav (11-4) Close up, tracked leader 3f out, led 2f out, ridden clear, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m (6) gd in Oct beating Instant Replay (11-4) by 10l, 8 ran.
Thehossbehind (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced after 7th, weakened before 3 out, 13th of 16, dist behind Laser Light (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Torhousemuir 12-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led until over 4f out, weakened quickly over 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Burlington Bert (11-9) at Stratford 2m (5) gf in May.
Bandsman 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, led after next, strongly challenged 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Top Tug (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
