made virtually all, ridden well over 1f out, soon clear, kept on well
with winner until ridden 4f out, ran green on bend over 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out
raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders until halfway
held up, behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up 6f out
held up, lost touch halfway, tailed off
held up, lost touch halfway
This bumper looks a match between Granite Man and Fountain Crumble with the confident vote going to Granite Man. The selection was a fair third on his debut behind Back To Bid. Granted he has an 15 day absence to overcome but with his yard in top form he is taken to score especially as he is receiving weight off this main rival. Fountain Crumble rates the main danger as he won in game fashion when beating Youllbesolucky last time out. However he will find this harder under his penalty and as the horse he beat hails from the same yard as the selection they should know were they stand. Opera Singer hails from a predominantly flat yard and this well bred Ali Royal gelding should be closely watched in the market. Of the remainder Fertility is another well bred type but should be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time and for the winner we return to Granite Man.
Finns Cross (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, kept on straight, 7th of 24, 23l behind Clew Bay Lodge (11-6) at Cork 2m nhf gd in May.
Granite Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 6th 6f out, 5th and headway early straight, challenged and led briefly 1f out, soon headed, no extra close home, 3rd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Back To Bid (11-13) at Gowran Park 2m nhf hvy in Apr.
Opera Singer Ali-Royal gelding, half-brother to winning miler Cyclonic Storm and 6f-1m winner Anna Pavlova.
Cresswell Willow (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Behind, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 17, 30l behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Aug.
Dovers Venture 66-1 (10-8) Held up, never near leaders, 10th of 17, 38l behind Fountain Crumble (10-8) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Aug.
Fertility Queen's Soldier mare out of winning hurdler Ruths Pride.
The Boobi (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Held up, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 12, 39l behind Shakerattleandroll (11-1) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun.
Fountain Crumble 5-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, led over 2f out, ran on, won at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Aug beating Youlbesolucky (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
