chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling
made most, ridden and headed inside final 3f, weakened 2f out
mid-division, driven along 4f out and soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, every chance approaching 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, smooth headway from 4f out, led going well 2f out, soon in command and pushed clear final furlong
mid-division, headway 4f out, every chance 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along 6f out, soon struggling
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, led inside final 3f, headed 2f out, one pace and no chance with winner soon after
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
with leaders, every chance 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
PEPE SIMO was in the process of winning a decent bumper before running all over the shop at Sandown and can make amends here; Larks Lad and Bradford Boris join Abbevillian on a lengthy shortlist. This has a history of being a fair bumper and the market will no doubt add further clues this afternoon. The selection came from a long way back to take up the running on his debut but was then spooked by something presumably and veered wildly to his left twice; but for that he would have won. Sam Thomas takes over in the saddle and he should go well if on his best behaviour. Larks Lad is a Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding who must be of interest, Harry The Hat and Bradford Boris are related to winners, whilst Rokinhorsescience is a half brother to Beau Michel and Marcus Du Berlais. Abbevillian is a former winning point-to-pointer and ran well on his debut at Ascot. That close second to Riverside Theatre reads well in the context of this race, as does Miller's Dawn's silver to Front Of House at Ludlow last season. Not a race to get carried away with, but the nod goes to Pepe Simo.
Abbevillian (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd.
Bertenbar 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, took keen hold, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Cape Tribulation (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (4) gs in Mar.
Beware Chalk Pit (IRE) Anshan gelding out of Rakiura.
Books Review 66-1 (10-8) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway 8f out, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind The Panama Kid (10-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Bradford Boris Shernazar gelding out of Beauchamp Grace.
Cardinal James (IRE) Bishop of Cashel gelding out of Dilwara.
Fountains Cloud (IRE) Loup Sauvage gelding out of Leaden Sky.
Harry The Hat (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Nikkis Pet.
Henry King (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of Presenting Shares.
Larks Lad (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of Higher Again.
Miller's Dawn 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway halfway, ran green over 3f out, challenged 2f out, edged right when no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Front Of House (11-8) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Moonlight Cantor (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 14, 46l behind Cypress Grove (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Nice One Eric (IRE) Silic gelding out of Maka.
Pepe Simo (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, good headway 3f out, ridden to lead briefly when veered violently left over 1f out, did same again inside final furlong, kept on, no chance after, 5th of 19, 8l behind Bensalem (11-0) at Sandown 2m nhf (4) sft.
Rokinhorsescience (FR) Raintrap gelding out of Rosacotte.
Sail And Return 50-1 (10-7) Held up, mid-division, led over 3f out, soon hung left, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 21, 2l behind Sunsetten (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Jan.
Shabenito (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Always behind, 11th of 15, 46l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd.
Quapriland (FR) Dark Moondancer filly out of Falkland Iii.
