held up, went left and not fluent 1st, headway when mistake 3 out, challenging when a little slow 2 out, shaken up last, ridden and not run on flat
led, pushed along and headed when not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, slow 1st, switched right after 2 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on
tracked leader, pushed along briefly after 4th, led 3 out, driven after 2 out, headed flat, held towards finish
EKAYBURG, who won a Grade 2 bumper in France last season, made an encouraging first start for David Pipe over hurdles at Chepstow and will improve on that. He looks the most likely winner though it’s too soon to write off another bumper winner, Laughing Luis, after just two runs over timber. Eyreshill was only third of four at Stratford last month while Early Learner finished tailed off on her debut under Rules in January. Burning Bright has yet to show much in the way of ability.
Ekayburg (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 12, 17 3/4l behind Zanza (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Eyreshill (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Disputed 2nd until after the 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd again after 2 out until last, one pace, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Shannon Hill (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Laughing Luis 6-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, jumped right 1st, 2nd or 3rd until before 2 out, soon no extra and not fluent at 2 out, 7th of 13, 25 3/4l behind My Mate Mark (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Early Learner 9-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division on outside, pushed along 9f out, weakened over 5f out, 10th of 11, dist behind Dissavril (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Burning Bright 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and struggling approaching 3 out, soon tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Tokay Dokey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov.
