chased leaders until 4th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 4th, led and hampered continually by loose horse from 3 out, hung left, stayed on well
chased leader, hampered and left in lead 6th, headed and hampered 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
mid-division until weakened 5th, tailed off and pulled up before last
always behind
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, every chance and hampered 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on
in touch, struggling 4th, weakened after 6th
mid-division, dropped rear 4th, soon ridden, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
stumbled and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 4th, close 4th approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake last
Bantry Bere can land the opener at the expense of Bertie May and Hammer Time. The selection is already the winner of a juvenile hurdle at Market Rasen in December and ran a personal best when fifth of twelve behind impressive winner Francoek in a competitive novice event at Chepstow last time out. He gets into this race with a four year old allowance and with a rating of 116 is top rated in the race so if able to reproduce his best he has to take all the beating here. Bertie May has his debut here after winning two bumper races at Wincanton and Uttoxeter. He was a little exposed behind Uffa Fox and Hold Em at Ascot last time out but that was one of the hottest bumpers of the season and the form of Hold Em since is rock solid so any market moves should be noted. Hammer Time ran out on his hurdles bow but performed better when third of fifteen at Ludlow thereafter. He now has experience on his side so has to be on the short list. But for the winner we return to Bantry Bere.
