tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
in rear, hampered on inside bend 5f out, switched right 3f out, soon hung left and effort, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 5f out, headed 3f out, edged right over 2f out and over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, took keen hold, led after 2f, headed over 5 out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, lost place 6f out, weakened 4f out, tailed off
mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 8f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 5f out, weakened over 3f out
led 2f, remained prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, pushed out
The yard's record in this type of event is enough for us to select KELLS BELLE over O Malley's Oscar and Thomas Wild. Nicky Henderson's filly is related to some capable performers over hurdles but with the capable assistance of David Bass in the plate it'd be a surprise were she not to show up here, with the yard operating at a 29% strike rate in bumpers over the last five years. She's taken to beat O Malley's Oscar, who took second in a similar race having done so in a point-to-point too. He's got the ability to take one of these but has raced so far only on ground with cut and with conditions set to be much quicker he's narrowly opposed. It's disappointing that Thomas Wild hasn't been able to win a similar race yet as he's gone very close only to give best close home and he may once again find a couple too good, despite the fact conditions will be fine. Arthur's Pass can't be ruled out for Tom George but his record in bumpers isn't a compelling one whilst Thoresby should progress from his first run but Nicky Henderson is a potent force in these races and his Kells Belle is taken to score.
Arthur's Pass Midnight Legend gelding out of Bella Coola.
Midnight Place 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 5f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Dare Me (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Thomas Wild 2-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 11f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Midnight Prayer (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Yarlington Mill 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost touch 8f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Big Time Billy (9-11) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Tenitemsplustoast 66-1 (10-5) Behind, driven along 6f out, behind when virtually ran off course on bend approaching home straight, last of 16, well behind Reinriver (10-3) at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Thoresby (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, reminders approaching 3f out, kept on final 2f, 6th of 14, 9l behind Priceless Art (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in Mar.
Go Ruby Go Karinga Bay mare out of Nessfield.
Hidden Pleasure 33-1 (10-4) Behind, pushed along and headway 4f out, kept on final 2f, 7th of 14, 17l behind King Of The Night (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Ellie Wiggins Wace filly out of River Reine.
Kells Belle (IRE) Alflora filly out of Clandestine.
O Malley's Oscar (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Always prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Raya Star (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Bonnie Baloo 33-1 (10-1) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind The Strawberry One (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Apr.
