tracked leaders on outside, led 10th, headed approaching last, weakened final furlong
refused to race
held up towards rear, not fluent 9th, weakened after next
led until after 1st, prominent, ridden after 8th, mistake next, losing place when fell 10th
in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, struggling 8th, behind when pulled up before 11th
held up towards rear, headway 9th, challenged 11th, led approaching last, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
led after 1st, jumped slowly 9th, mistake and headed next, 4th and beaten last, weakened flat
in touch in mid-division, outpaced from 10th, stayed on from over 1f out, went 3rd towards finish
in touch, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd last, chased leader on extended flat, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in rear, struggling 9th, hampered next
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
With Ellandshe, Janal and Archie's Wish out of the weights this race has a weak look to it and perhaps SIR BUMBLE can defy top-weight. The gelding has proved extremely consistent this term and fought on bravely to land the spoils at Stratford. Quick ground appears to suit and with Graham Lee taking over in the plate everything looks in place for a big run. Nobby Kivambo keeps trying for his rider and did so for second recently but consistent jumping errors are off-putting and off the same mark he's taken on, as is course-specialist Pugnacity although a return to this track, quick ground and fences combine to make Ryan Mania's mount interesting as an each-way proposition. Miss Molly Be Rude made all to win at Bangor in July but dropped out tamely when bidding for a repeat and arrives with questions to answer, as does Executive's Hall, while Hapthor looks a shade high in the weights.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, led 2 out, clear on bend turning for home, driven and always holding on flat, won at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Monty's Moon (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Hapthor 40-1 (11-3) In rear, not fluent and behind 4th, passed weakening rivals from 3 out, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 16l behind High Stand Lad (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
Bocciani (GER) 50-1 (10-9) Led in start, always towards rear, 8th of 9, 20l behind Shopfrontspecialst (10-12) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
Nobby Kivambo (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 2 out, hung left and chased winner last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Rebel Swing (10-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Miss Molly Be Rude (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Led until after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 28l behind Rebel Swing (10-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Pugnacity 16-1 (11-6) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Eastwell Smiles (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jul.
Executive's Hall (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Led to 3rd, led again after 7th, blundered 9th and soon headed, pulled up after 10th, in a race won by Rokinhorsescience (11-3) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 10 ran.
First Fought (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) In touch, took keen hold, hit 10th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 11, 35l behind Public Esteem (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f 5yo nov hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Archie's Wish 40-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 4 out, ridden next, no impression, 11th of 13, 48l behind Dereks (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Janal (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in last pair, stayed on from 3 out, went 3rd near finish, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Strobe (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Ellandshe (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Held up in last pair, headway to modest 3rd 3 out, blundered last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 22l behind Strobe (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.