led until 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, one pace towards finish
last trio, headway chasing leaders after halfway, outpaced 6f out, soon hung badly left and no chance after
chased leader until 10f out, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
pulled hard in last trio, weakened 3f out
always prominent, led 2f out, pushed out well inside final furlong, readily
pulled hard, tracked leaders, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
pulled hard in rear, rapid headway chasing leaders after halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out
This looks a competitive bumper and there probably isn’t a lot to choose between several runners with previous experience. Hey Bud only found one too good at Taunton but Inheritance Thief hasn’t raced since finishing runner-up for the second time at Market Rasen in November. Topofthecotswolds will be looking to make in third-time lucky after being a beaten favourite at Towcester and Hereford while Herecomestheboom’s win at Cheltenham in October has worked out well and he was taking on better opposition later at Ascot. LOOKS FROZEN gets a tentative vote as he still didn’t look the finished article when narrowly beaten at Fontwell and is likely to take a further step forward.
Herecomestheboom (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, never involved, 12th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
Ballinahinch (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, headway and hung left over 1f out, soon switched right, 4th and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Normal Norman (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Feb.
Best To Come (IRE) Stowaway gelding out of Nippy Nora.
Hey Bud 11-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, raced on outside, headway 4f out, went 2nd and hung right inside final furlong, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Smith's Bay (11-5) at Taunton 2m (5) sft in Jan.
Looks Frozen (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Raced on inside, pulled hard, held up, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Jaytrack Parkhomes (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f (5) hvy in Feb.
Rouge Vif (FR) Sageburg gelding out of Rouge Amour.
Terezaz Nimrod Arvico gelding out of Anynearexit.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Pulled hard, held up until headway to lead after 3f, ridden and headed entering final furlong, not pace of winner final 110 yards, just held on for 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Apres Le Deluge (11-0) at Hereford 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Inheritance Thief 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Benny's Bridge (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gs in Nov.