in touch in 4th, one pace from 3f out, just held for 3rd place close home
made all, clear over 1fr out, easily
tracked winner until over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, chased winner over 3f out, no impression, just held on for 2nd close home
in rear and keen, outpaced over 5f out, son tailed off
Philip Hobbs has sent out the last two winners of this bumper and WESTEND STORY is likely to be a short price to complete the hat-trick. An easy winner when well backed on his debut under Rules at Huntingdon, he's preferred to the Wincanton scorer My Liege who also carries 7lb extra. Man From Mars is a half-brother to Greatwood Hurdle winner Jumps Road and also a winning bumper so any market support should be noted given trainer Nick Williams has a good strike-rate here with his bumper horses.
My Liege (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) sft in Dec beating Chelsea Flyer (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Westend Story (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 8f out, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (6) sft in Dec beating Better Getalong (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Molineaux (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Steel Grey Lady.
Man From Mars Schiaparelli gelding out of Diletia.
The Last Melon Sir Percy gelding out of Step Fast.
Breeze Along 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened before 5f out, 5th of 8, dist behind Gayebury (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (6) hvy in Jan.
Frankly Speaking Flemensfirth gelding out of No More Money.
Kayf Farmer Kayf Tara gelding out of Sweet Shooter.
