made all, clear 2f out, easily
chased leaders, tracked winner over 7f out, no impression final 2f
chased winner until over 7f out, soon hampered and weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway over 11f out, third and ridden when pulled up bend over 2f out
chased leaders, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, ridden over 5f out, well behind 4f out
held up, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
in touch, inclined to run wide on bends, pushed along 8f out, weakening when left 3rd over 2f out
mid-division, some headway 8f out, weakened 4f out
held up, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
THE JIGSAW MAN is bound to be popular with backers following an earlier course and distance success and decent effort when chasing home Loosen My Load at Galway last month and, while it is never easy to win a bumper under a penalty, the Rebecca Curtis-trained gelding is hard to oppose and gets the vote over Lucas Eile and Benbens. Anything trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies has to be respected in bumpers and Benbens cannot be discounted on his racecourse debut. Malcolm Jefferson's Janie's Encore has shown some promise in two starts so far but needs to improve to trouble the judge, while Heathyards Beat ran well first time up but this looks tougher. Lucas Eile has the benefit of experience but has been well held in all three starts so far and it is hard to get away from The Jigsaw Man.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led, ridden clear over 2f out, reduced lead and strongly pressed straight, kept on well, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Loosen My Load (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat in Aug.
Benbens (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Millicent Bridge.
Chateau Blanc 100-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 8f out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Drumbaloo (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gf.
Heathyards Beat 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 11l behind Wor Rom (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Magistrate (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up, headway over 7f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 13, 15l behind Grand Award (10-12) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gf in Jul.
Wirefox 20-1 (10-7) Always behind and lost touch over 3f out, 13th of 15, well behind Lets Go Girls (10-2) at Kelso 2m 4yo nhf (6) hvy in Jan '08.
Aspatria (IRE) Bob Back filly out of Silvretta.
Janie's Encore 28-1 (10-6) Stumbled after 1f, mid-division on outside, chased leaders over 5f out, effort and every chance when badly hampered well over 2f out, no impression after, 4th of 9, 12l behind French Hollow (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (5) gf in Jun.
Karoshdee Fantastic Light filly out of Larousse.
Lucas Eile 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 6th 6f out, 4th and ridden over 4f out, no impression from over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 14l behind Maid From Milan (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gf in Aug.
Wild Blackthorn 50-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, well behind Mail De Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Dec.