towards rear, outpaced 4f out, kept on final 2f, never near leaders
mid-division on inside, lost place halfway, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 5f out, hung left and lost place entering straight, soon weakened, tailed off
behind, headway into mid-division on outside over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division on outside, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, held towards finish
behind, driven over 4f out, stayed on to chase leaders final 2f, never nearer
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 4f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, headway under pressure 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to take moderate 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair
mid-division, driven to chase leaders 4f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, in touch, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, tailed off
in touch, ridden to chase leading pair over 2f out, soon no impression, lost moderate 3rd inside final furlong
pressed leader, led over 5f out, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish
Some useful types have won this bumper in the past and Paul Nicholls has won three of the last six renewals, though Mr Bridger didn't show a great deal here in April. Vazaro Delafayette has obvious claims on his third at Cheltenham while Zulu Oscar was favourite when second over this course and distance in the spring. Royal Ripple was second at Hexham last month but winning pointers Inner Drive and Now Ben may have more scope. Ulzana's Raid won at Towcester in May but may struggle to give weight to a few of these, which includes newcomers CLANCY'S CROSS and River Deep. Rebecca Curtis' gelding has a solid NH pedigree and can make a winning start.
Ulzana's Raid (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 10f out, pushed along 4f out, led inside final furlong, ran green, ran on, won at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in May beating Knight Of Noir (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bandol (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 5f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong,no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Plain Sailing (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Beat The Bounds 50-1 (10-11) Ran green towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, well behind West Wizard (10-11) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (4) sft in Mar.
Beaujolais Bob 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 38l behind Anteros (11-5) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Jan.
Definite Future (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Factor Fifty (10-8) at Southwell 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Inner Drive (IRE) 6-4 (11-7) Trckd ldrs; led 4 out; easy, won at Pytchley 3m ptp gs in Apr beating Patrick Potts (12-0) by 15l, 12 ran.
Morning Reggie 5-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 24l behind Oscar Fortune (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gs in Apr.
Now Ben (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid div, 5th 5out, prog 3out & ld 2out, 2l adv gng best when lft well clr last, easily, won at Lismore 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Amergin (12-0) by 7l, 13 ran.
River Deep (IRE) Mountain High gelding out of Testaway.
Royal Ripple (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In touch, went 2nd 6f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Line D'aois (10-11) at Hexham 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Spending Time 14-1 (11-0) Never reached beyond mid-division, 8th of 15, 23l behind Oscarteea (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
Starship Trouper 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders until 8f out, well beaten final 5f, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Westward Point (11-10) at Worcester 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) gs in Oct '12.
Vazaro Delafayette (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, not much room when close 3rd well over 1f out, hampered soon after, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Carningli (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gs in Oct.
Zulu Oscar 5-2fav (10-12) Held up in touch in mid-division, slightly outpaced on bend 5f out, closed over 2f out, every chance when edged right over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hologram (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gs in May.
Mr Bridger 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 21l behind Tea For Two (10-5) at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Clancy's Cross (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Murphy's Lady.
Eddy 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced over 5f out, plugged on from over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 38l behind Lily Waugh (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
General Montgomery (IRE) Desert King gelding out of Supreme Course.
