mid-division, hampered over 4f out, not recover
held up, lost place 9f out, headway over 3f out on outside, led over 1f out, hung left, ran on well, green
towards rear, headway 5th, hung right on bend over 4f out, ridden 3f out, one pace
keen, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon held
mid-division and pulled hard, joined leader 6f out, held from over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out
in touch, ridden and close up 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 5f out, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened
led, set steady pace, ridden and headed over 5f out, then again briefly over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out
This looks a classy bumper for the time of the year with a number of horses worth following including Blue Dark, and newcomers It¿s Tough and Madness but we will give the vote to Keki Buku. The selection won in grand style at Uttoxeter back in October and was thought good enough to contest in the Champion Bumper at The Cheltenham Festival where he ran with credit finishing in mid division. Now dropped back to this more realistic grade he has to be very much respected. Blue Dark looks to be Alan Kings first string on jockey bookings and with the benefit of a run under his belt he is worth noting. He ran well to finish fourth of twelve that day at Wincanton and improvement is likely. Madness comes from the same stable who do have a good strike rate with first time bumper winners so any market moves should be noted, while the same can be said about Its Tough who will run in the familiar colours of David Johnson. But for the we return to Keki Buku.
Keki Buku (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, never on terms, 15th of 23, 29l behind Cousin Vinny (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Its Tough (IRE) Dushyantor gelding out of an unraced mare.
Madness (IRE) King's Theatre gelding, half-brother to several winners including The Extra Man.
Swansbrook (IRE) Alderbrook gelding, brother to winning hurdler Dark Bolero.
Tanks For That (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Keen in mid-division, headway 7f out, led over 6f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 16, 2l behind Gershwin (11-4) at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in Feb.
The Grifter Thowra gelding out of winning hurdler Spring Grass.
Wilkinson (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 10, 30l behind Doeslessthanme (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Blue Dark (FR) 12-1 (10-6) In touch, disputed 3rd 5f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 5l behind Bakbenscher (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Diamanpeg (IRE) Fusaichi Pegasus gelding out of high-class 1m2f-1m4f winner Diamilina.
On Spec 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, driven 7f out, soon outpaced, kept on final 2f, 4th of 21, 9l behind Sunsetten (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Jan.
The Portonion (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Blistering (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
No More Donations (IRE) Presenting gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Miss Jessica and bumper Isintshelovely.
