led, headed after 2f, weakened 6f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 4f out, headed 3f out and weakened
prominent, led after 2f briefly, led again 6f out, headed 4f out and weakened 2f out
in touch and keen, led after 3f, headed again 6f out, weakened over 4f out
tracked leaders, lost place halfway, stayed on again
in touch and keen, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
held up in touch, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on
towards rear, headway on inside 6f out, weakened 4f out
Paul Nicholls can land the bumper with PENNELLIS; Native Taipan and Hey Big Spender rate as the main dangers. The selection certainly catches the eye on breeding and he will not have to be anything special to make a winning racecourse debut. The stable are in decent form which adds further fuel to the confidence. Native Taipan finished sixth behind According To Dick last month at Cheltenham and he was only narrowly beaten at Exeter yesterday so the form does look solid enough. Hey Big Spender ran well on his debut when third behind The Nightingale at Wincanton. That was on Boxing Day and he hasn't been seen out since, but the form of that race has worked out really well so he has to be on the shortlist. Buffalo Stampede is another interesting newcomer and he is worth a market check, but for the winner we will stick with Pennellis.
Abitofargybargy (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, always behind, 12th of 15, 38l behind Shalone (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in May.
Buffalo Stampede (IRE) Accordion gelding out of an unraced mare.
Cashmere Ted (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, beaten when edged left over 1f out, 6th of 15, 20l behind Shalone (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in May.
Charingworth (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders after 6f, weakened 4f out, 8th of 19, 31l behind Charity Lane (10-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Cuckoo Pen Alflora gelding, half-brother to smart 2m4f-3m hurdle winner Carruthers.
Gratification Alflora gelding out of Fun While It Lasts.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden 5f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 22l behind The Nightingale (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Kadastorm Kadastrof gelding out of Vent Vert.
Lucky Eric 66-1 (10-7) In touch until over 3f out, 7th of 17, 31l behind Son of Flicka (10-7) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Native Taipan (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 17, 17l behind According To Dick (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Pause And Clause (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 2f out, not much room over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Shalone (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in May.
Pennellis (FR) Alderbrook gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Hume River.
Roseneath (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid division, headway up to 4f, weakened over 5f out, 9th of 11, well behind Diablo (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in May.
The Boss Rock (IRE) Shernazar gelding, half-brother to winning jumper/bumper Arctic Sky.
Walls Way 40-1 (10-7) In rear, brief effort over 6f out, 14th of 15, well behind Tataniano (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Tarabela 100-1 (10-2) In touch, raced keenly, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 37l behind According To Dick (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gd in Oct.
