held up, challenged 2f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
always prominent, led 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, driven out
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out
always behind, struggling from halfway, pulled up over 4f out
held up in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace after
chased leaders, driven along 6f out, weakened over 2f out
Dancing Partner gets the call here ahead of Spirit Of New York. Dancing Partner won well on his Uttoxeter debut and should go close here. Spirit Of New York won a Newbury bumper back in March 2004 and looked promising but has not been seen since, although his stable is in good form. He should go well, though, if anywhere near his best. Beautifully-bred, Silent Age has yet to show anything in two bumper starts, but the equally well-bred Schumann could be interesting on his jumping debut form the Mark Pitman yard. Cisco is related to a number of German winners but was cheaply acquired and, of the others, Rising Tempest is a potential improver from the Sue Smith yard. However, for today, we are happy to side with Dancing Partner.
Dancing Partner (USA) 11-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, led 2f out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb beating A Few Kind Words (10-2) by 6l, 16 ran.
Spirit of New York (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, steady headway 6f out, pushed along 4f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar '04 beating Itsa Legend (11-9) by a hd, 21 ran.
Barneys Joy Keen gelding out of a maiden racemare.
Cottam Phantom River Falls gelding, half-brother to 2 winners on the Flat.
Schumann Rainbow Quest colt, brother to middle-distance winner Sequential, half-brother to two winners at 5f and 6f.
Silent Age (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up, pushed along halfway, headway 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 10th of 13, 30l behind Don't Push It (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Sept.
Try 12-1 (12-5) pulled up in race won by Jupsala (12-5) at Hexham 3m ptp gf in May, 16 ran.
Rising Tempest 20-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 17, 11l behind Fountain Crumble (10-8) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Aug.