mid-division, headway 4f out, soon ridden, one pace final 2f
prominent until lost place after 7f, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, ran on well
mid-division, effort 4f out, weakened 3f out
prominent, led 8f out, headed 3f out, one pace after
mid-division, headway over 4f out, stayed on final 2f
prominent, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, not pace of winner
held up towards rear, headway 8f out, effort 4f out, one pace final 2f
led for 2f, prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders until weakened over 4f out,
pulled hard, led after 2f until 8f out, soon weakened
The betting will be informative as is normally the case in these bumpers, however we will side with Nom De Guerre ahead of Fermat and Forest Pennant. The selection was far from disgraced last-time out in a strong contest at Ascot in December and looks sure to be in the shake-up today with Richard Johnson doing the steering. Paul Webber does well in these contests and he saddles Fermat in the hope of making it third time lucky for the five-year-old gelding. Mick Fitzgerald takes over from his usual claimer which looks significant so he has every right to go well assuming the ground doesn't become a bog. Forest Pennant represents a strong stable so is accorded due respect, however he will be seen to better effect over a trip in time. Takotna should be watched in the market after disappointing last time out at Warwick. Any market moves should be noted, however we will return to Nom De Guerre to make it third time lucky.
Clifden Boy (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Never a threat, 5th of 7, 36l behind Kid Charlemagne (11-0) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Fermat (FR) 2-1fav (10-11) Chased leaders, led 5f out, ridden well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Galoshes (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 18, 18l behind Schiehallion (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy in Nov.
Longbow Warrior 33-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, chased leaders, clipped heels and stumbled after 1f, led 9f out to 7f out, ridden, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 10, 21l behind Stripe Me Blue (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Lord Appellare (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7f out, soon tracking winner, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 9l behind Seven Is My Number (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (1) gs in Dec.
Ocean du Moulin (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden 7f out, headway 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 20, 21l behind Den of Iniquity (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
South Bank (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, never nearer than mid-division, 11th of 22, 46l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec.
Uncle Lionel 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 13th of 19, well behind Freddie The Third (10-7) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
What A Buzz 2-1fav (11-0) Led, headed halfway, led again over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Money Order (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Wildlife 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off final 10f, 17th of 20, well behind Den of Iniquity (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Dip Anchor 50-1 (10-7) In touch, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 17, 27l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Generous Star 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 17, 31l behind Berings Express (10-12) at Warwick 1m 6f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Sandalphon (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 12th of 17, 35l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Tulkinghorn 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 13th of 14, 19l behind Turbo Linn (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Takotna (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 20, 18l behind Den of Iniquity (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Alfie Boe 50-1 (10-7) Always behind, 15th of 17, 44l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Adorabella (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, challenged 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 5l behind Fiddling Again (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft in Dec.
