mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, plugged on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway tracking leaders 7th, 2nd after 2 out, led travelling well last, came readily clear run-in
raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
always behind, not much room awkward and rider lost iron 5th, never a factor
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th
always behind, mistake 6th, tailed off 3 out
chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, weakening when mistake 7th
towards rear, modest 5th before 2 out, mistake last, never involved
took keen hold, held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never involved
chased leaders, 2nd 5th until led 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd
led, awkward 4th, headed 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, mistake last
mid-division, behind from 6th
towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, never involved
Captain Buck's won his bumper here last February but was only third when favourite on his hurdling debut a couple of months later. He’ll need to improve on that to take this as BAGS GROOVE has only found one too good in his two runs over hurdles to date. His latest defeat was over this trip at Newbury and, though he might have preferred a slight drop in distance, Harry Fry’s charge is difficult to oppose today. Agamemmon could provide the biggest threat as Richard Johnson keeps faith with the five-year-old having steered him into fourth in a Listed bumper at Ascot last month. Winning pointer Steely Addition ran well for third on his debut under Rules at Wincanton and isn’t out of this.
Agamemmon (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Western Ryder (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
Bags Groove (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway tracking leaders 4 out, 2nd before 2 out, led before the last, hard ridden and strongly pressed run-in,soon hung badly left, headed last strides, 2nd of 15, nk behind Sneaky Feeling (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Captain Buck's (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, went 3rd halfway, chased winner over 3f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Show On The Road (11-3) at Taunton 2m (5) gd in Apr.
Cheltenam De Vaige (FR) 150-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, fell 5th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan.
Chief Bottlewasher (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked winner, about 30 lengths down in 2nd when left in lead last, finished alone, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov
Coroner's Report (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 5th, remained prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, remote 4th, 4th of 5, dist behind Laugharne (10-12) at Taunton 3m (4) gf in Dec.
Norse Da 200-1 (10-12) Jumped badly right throughout, always behind, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Misterton (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Our Merlin 150-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, not fluent 4th, weakened before 2 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Primo Blue 66-1 (10-12) Tracked winner until hung right and raced wide from before 6 out, soon in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 7, dist behind Ballymalin (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Stealing Mix 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, soon pulled up, at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Steely Addition (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 2 out, 3rd last, stayed on but no impression on front pair, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.
Torhousemuir 20-1 (10-12) In touch, weakening when fell 4 out, at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Touch Screen (IRE) 250-1 (11-8) Led until 1st, prominent, not fluent and lost place 5th, well beaten after 3 out, 10th of 16, dist behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Earth Lady 25-1 (10-10) Badly hampered 1st, always behind, tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Lamanver Odyssey (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
