held up, headway 2f out, hard ridden and ran on inside final furlong to lead last stride
led until headed, hampered and stumbled over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway on inside over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold in touch, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, effort over 5f out, weakened 4f out
held up in touch, lost place 6f out, rallied 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always prominent, every chance over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed last stride
held up in rear, headway over 5f out, weakened final furlong
held up in mid-division, in rear final 6f
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, weakened 1f out
The market should offer us most clues and Rubipresent is selected ahead of Colour Footage and Sir Mulberry Hawk. A fair third over course-and-distance on introduction, there was a lot to like about what we saw and this might not be the strongest of contests. Colour Footage is likeable enough profile. The mare didnt fetch a lot at the sales but can claim a valuable mare's allowance. Ellen Tilley is also able to claim a four-year-old's allowance on top of that and makes interesting reading in the betting. Sir Mulberry Hawk is likely to be popular given the record of Alan Swinbank in these contests. He is a full brother to a previous bumper winner in Sir Boreas Hawk. Duke Of Burgundy beat a fair sort in a Ludlow bumper. He hasn't been seen since then and will need to be a good horse to shoulder the winner's penalty all around. Kings Rhythm should learn plenty for the experience. In the absence of market information, we take Rubipresent as the selection to minimal stakes.
Duke of Burgundy (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, headway over 3f out, hard ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely, won at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov beating Earth Dream (11-2) by a nk, 15 ran.
Canyouseeme 40-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 10f out, weakened 5f out, 9th of 13, 23l behind Cape Tribulation (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (4) gs in Mar.
Jayne's Crusader 66-1 (10-11) Lashed out start, alway behind, 13th of 16, well behind Run For Moor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Lets Cast Again 11-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 17, 31l behind Belita (10-5) at Warwick 1m 6f nhf (H) gd in Nov '05.
Penyfan Man 25-1 (11-7) Led til hdd aft 4; 7th when fell in race won by Bow School (12-0) at Market Rasen Pts 3m ptp gd in Feb, 10 ran.
Quwetwo Karinga Bay gelding out of winning hurdler/chaser La Brigantine.
Persian Tonic (IRE) Son Of Sharp Shot gelding, half-brother to 7f-1m winner Colemanstown.
Rubipresent (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, headway to join leaders halfway, challenged over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind The Bonus Ball (10-7) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Sir Mulberry Hawk Overbury gelding, brother to winning bumper and hurdler Sir Boreas Hawk.
Sparrow Hills (IRE) Moscow Society gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler My Good Lord and bumper winner Apache Brave.
Colour Footage (IRE) Supreme Leader mare out of maiden point-to-pointer Lipstick Lady.
Starlight Air Karinga Bay mare out of winning hurdler Moonlight Air.
Ellen Tilley Overbury filly, half-sister to winning bumper and hurdler Mountain Approach.
Kings Rhythm Gildoran gelding out of a moderate racemare.
