The old wealth warning of applying bumper form to hurdling is very much borne in mind so we will tentatively recommend Fast Forward ahead of Milan Deux Mille and Lindbergh Law. Fast Forward is yet another New Zealand bred to be consigned by Robert Ogden. He has two solid performances in bumpers to his name and could prove difficult to beat if given a soft lead. That is not guaranteed as Milan Deux Mille is also likely to be handy. Trained by Martin Pipe, he has won over 1m5f at Exeter and has tended to pull hard in the past. Lindbergh Law was a cast off from the John Gosden yard. Sold for just 6000 guineas, the son of Red Ransom, he has won two bumpers. He is watched in the market this afternoon on a return from a long absence. Rare Gold looked a stout stayer on British introduction. The ex-Irish pointer appeared to appreciate softer going and is opposed. Carnival Town is respected as an inmate from Jonjo O'Neill's stable. He showed a degree of promise in his bumper and will come on for the run. Clifford T Ward hails from a yard in form although this does not appear to be one of the more obvious winners if recent racecourse experiences are taken into account. Fast Forward is our selection.
Bombaybadboy (NZ) 80-1 (11-5) Towards rear, effort approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Rosecliff (10-7) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Cadtauri (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and stayed on from 4 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 36l behind Tokala (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Carnival Town 5-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, every chance over 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 10l behind Apollo Lady (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Clifford T Ward 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 15, 27l behind Industrial Star (10-12) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Fast Forward (NZ) 9-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, led over 6f out, headed and no extra approaching final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Senora Snoopy (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Green Collar 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division and keen, blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft, 15 ran.
Lindbergh Law (USA) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, took closer order 7f out, ridden to lead over 3f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jun beating Melrose (10-11) by 6l, 8 ran.
Murotoevation (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost touch 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Montecorvino (11-5) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft, 16 ran.
Petitjean 6-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 18l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Rare Gold (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 8th, hit 3 out, went 2nd before last, no impression, 2nd of 13, 12l behind Dunsfold Duke (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Tigu (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always behind, mistake 5th, struggling and tailed off from 9th, 10th of 13, well behind Dunsfold Duke (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Wenlocks Wonder 125-1 (11-5) Held up, some headway after 6th, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 35l behind Rosecliff (10-7) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Kossies Mate 100-1 (10-5) Prominent, weakened 7th, tailed off 3 out pulled up at the last in race won by Prestbury Knight (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Princess Yum Yum 150-1 (10-7) Always behind, jumped right throughout, tailed off 6th pulled up 3 out in race won by Au Courant (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs, 14 ran.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Pulled hard, led after 2f, hung left from over 2f out, veered badly left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (H) sft in Dec beating Over The Flow (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Tanzanite Dawn 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 29l behind Treaty Flyer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
