chased clear leader, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression
prominent, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on same pace to go 3rd close home
always behind, no impression
held up in touch, weakened before 4th, pulled up after 3 out
in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 5th, chased leader 3 out, led on bit 2 out, quickened up to go clear approaching last, very easily
led, not fluent 4th, headed approaching 2 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, tiring when hit last
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
stumbled 1st, always towards rear, no impression
The short list for the bumper consists of De Soto, She's Our Daisy and Pepporoni Pete, with the selection being the last-named horse. Pepporoni Pete looked highly promising in bumpers last season before being found out at Aintree but, in a race that lacks strength in depth, is the selection. De Soto has had his problems but he also has ability, as evidenced by his second in the 2005 Cheltenham Festival bumper. He is fully respected. Of the others, Hot Zone has shown enough promise to be considered, while much as She's Our Daisy has to improve on her recent course and distance win, she should give you a run for your money. Finally, as a bumper winnr, True Dove is respected and it would be folly to disregard a Paul Nicholls runner at this track, so Topamendip should be watched in the market. Overall, though the vote goes to Pepporoni Pete.
De Soto 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, travelling well when hit 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 15l behind Noland (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (C) gs in Dec.
Good Time Willie (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 20l behind Wotchalike (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Hot Zone (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on, never reached leaders, 6th of 16, 8l behind My Immortal (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd.
Native Forest (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 31l behind Fier Normand (11-9) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Always towards rear, 15th of 22, well behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
She's Our Daisy (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Made all, hit 3 out, quickened on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) frm beating Beautiful Night (11-7) by 17l, 9 ran.
Topamendip (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 47l behind Sky Mack (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
True Dove 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader, led after 4f, ridden and headed 3f out, kept on again close home and just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Bajan Sunshine (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Sept.
