tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
mid-division, reminders halfway and soon beaten
towards rear, ridden over 5f out, kept on from 2f out, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, led 4f out, soon ridden, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
led until ridden and headed 4f out, soon one pace
mid-division, close up over 4f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace
held up, headway and close up over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent until weakened over 6f out, soon beaten
towards rear, headway and every chance 6f out, ridden over 2f out, gradually weakened
tracked leaders, every chance over 3f out, ridden and led over 2f out, drew clear final furlong
held up, ridden over 4f out, kept on one pace
The market should offer plenty of clues in this finale and Scale Bank is the preference ahead of La Pantera Rosa and Grand Theatre. Alan Swinbank's record in this sphere is pretty much second to none and having performed adequately enough on introduction, Scale Bank has to be a big player if the forecast wet weather arrives in time. Micky Hammond isn't noted for too many winners in bumpers but La Pantera Rosa has claims. Second to Still At Lunch on debut, he shaped with a fair degree of promise. Grand Theatre has probably had the kidgloves treatment at Nicky Richards' yard but they paid plenty for them and it will be interesting to see how far forward he is on debut. Vulcan Pilot wasn't a particularly expensive purchase at the sales and could be anything. The market is watched. Water Music was bred to be a useful flat horse on soft ground. The last part of this equation might be correct but the first part has been overlooked. Hazeldene put up a fair effort on debut at Wetherby but failed to build upon it. Desert Vision has been quietly fancied in two bumpers thus far and has failed to sparkle in either. A race for the video and Scale Bank secures our nod in the finale.
Atom Hill Ace (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden in 7th under 3f out, no impression, 10th of 18, 19l behind Mourne Rambler (11-7) at Down Royal 2m nhf gs in Dec.
Good Music (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always behind, last of 9, well behind Panthera Leo (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Grand Theatre (IRE) King's Theatre gelding, half-brother to numerous winners over jumps and in bumpers.
Hazeldene 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 13l behind Evelith Echo (11-6) at Ayr 2m nhf (4) gf in Apr.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Still At Lunch (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Over The Border Overbury gelding out of Copper Castle.
Pressman 25-1 (10-1) Mid-division, pushed along 5f out, no impression, 7th of 16, 20l behind Peters Pride (11-2) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (5) sft.
Scale Bank (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, headed inside last, stayed on under pressure, just held, 2nd of 14, shd behind Pebrock (10-7) at Southwell 2m 4yo nhf (5) sft.
Vulcan Pilot Overbury gelding out of the useful jumper Snitton Lane.
Water Music (FR) Selkirk gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Cross The Palm (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) In touch, weakened quickly halfway, soon tailed off, last of 13, well behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (6) sft.
Teviot Lass 33-1 (10-8) Towards rear, some headway over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, well behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Oct '06.
Desert Vision 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 6l behind Ready To Crown (9-9) at Huntingdon 1m 6f nhf (5) gf in Nov.
Grand Union (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of an unraced mare.
Princess Shirl 25-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 4th of 12, 8l behind Lie Forrit (10-2) at Carlisle 1m 6f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
