led early, chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, never on terms after
chased leaders on outside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead entering final 2f, stayed on well final furlong, driven out
held up in last pair, weakened over 5f out, soon eased, tailed off
soon disputing lead, led narrowly 12f out, pushed along 5f out, headed over 4f out, chased leader until 3f out, ridden over 2f out, outpaced soon after
soon led, narrowly headed after 4f, pressed leader, led again over 4f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, headed entering final 2f, chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd final 110 yards
chased leaders, not much room and switched right inside final 3f, green when not much room again and switched left again well over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd final 110 yards, no impression on winner
last pair, reminders before halfway, soon struggling and virtually pulled up 7f out, tailed off
The form of this Listed contest is usually worth following and a few of these will no doubt be heading for the Champion Bumper. Thomas Brown looked very useful when winning by 11 lengths over track and trip in November but we were taken with SEVEN NATION ARMY's comeback effort at Ascot, where he beat a well-regarded Irish raider and five previous winners. He has to give weight away all round in this but should be capable of further improvement and may be up to the task. Definitly Red made a winning start under Rules at Uttoxeter and is worth a second look while Imagine The Chat and Tea For Two are also unbeaten under Rules. As De Mee as his first start for new connections since arriving from France but is another to catch the eye.
Seven Nation Army (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leader 4f, prominent, went 2nd again over 4f out, led over 3f out, strongly pressed final furlong, kept on gamely and in command in closing stages, won at Ascot 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Dec beating Joshua Lane (11-4) by nk, 9 ran.
Buckhorn Timothy 9-1 (10-11) Took keen hold tracking leader, led 3f out, pushed clear final 2f, easily, won at Ludlow 2m cond NH flat (5) hvy in Jan beating Onenightinvienna (11-1) by 7l, 10 ran.
Definitly Red (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd 3f out, soon led, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Final Nudge (11-2) by 9l, 7 ran.
Imagine The Chat 9-4fav (11-6) With leaders on outside, led over 3f out, driven over 1f out, edged right and pressed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Rons Dream (10-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Justanother Muddle 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 14f out, clear over 3f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, always going to last out, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Dec beating Ashford Wood (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Mountain Of Mourne (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Made all, drew clear final 2f, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Lily Mars (10-2) by 8l, 7 ran.
Tea For Two 18-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, soon chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Spring Steel (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Thomas Brown 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd going well 3f out, led over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, easily, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov beating Maestro Royal (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Flamenco Lad 14-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed final 100 yards, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Adeupas D'ycy (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gd in Dec.
