UMBRIGADO (NAP) is a rare runner here for David Pipe. He was no match for the more-experienced Northofthewall at Uttoxeter on his chasing bow but wasn’t given a hard time and there should be plenty more to come. The return to a longer trip might suit Minella Trump and Minella Encore has had wind surgery since just failing to catch his market rival at Kelso. Glenduff is having a first try over fences following a break but probably has more scope than Stay Humble, second over 2m4f here last month.
Glenduff (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd going well and every chance 3 out, 3rd and one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind The Macon Lugnatic (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
Matthew Man Evenscfav (12-0) Led til hdd aft 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Dream Over (11-7) at Alnwick 3m sft in Dec.
Minella Encore (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-2) Tracked leader, pressed leader 12th, disputed the lead 13th, every chance 3 out and 2 out, ridden after 2 out, rallied well to press leader last, kept on when hard-ridden run-in, denied, denied dying strides, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Mahlervous (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f (3) sft in Dec.
Minella Trump (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Midfield, hit 3rd, dropped towards rear 6th, ridden 10th, rallied 3 out but still well off the pace, no extra, 5th of 9, 24l behind Imperil (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Stay Humble (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th until next, challenged 4 out, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind On A Promise (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Umbrigado (IRE) 11-10 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out and outpaced, kept on behind easy winner, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Northofthewall (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
