tracked leaders, badly hampered 1st, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 3rd
tracked leader, challenged before 2 out, led 2 out, clear before last
mid-division, badly hampered and brought down 2nd
jumped badly left 1st, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up halfway
led, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
in touch in 4th, hampered 1st, outpaced before 2 out, no impression
held up mid-division, stumbled and fell 2nd
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, pulled up
mid-division, badly hampered and brought down 1st
A couple of these stand out from the rest. Bagad Bihoue has won two of three starts in bumpers and is a half-brother to a winner over hurdles. The Nicholls’ charge will go close if as effective over timber but AS YOU LIKE is just preferred. The latter did himself no favours with a couple of blunders on his hurdling bow at Ffos Las but still finished runner-up ahead of a subsequent winner and Jonjo O’Neill’s charge can open his account. What A Joke finished closer at this venue last time but recent point-to-point winner Buz Barton and bumper winner Miss Mobot have yet to show any worthwhile form over hurdles.
As You Like (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance before and blundered last, one pace after, 2nd of 7, 10l behind West Torr (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gs in Jun.
Bagad Bihoue (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Made all, clear 4f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, held on but unchallenged, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (6) gf in Jul beating Pokari (10-10) by 1l, 11 ran.
Buz Barton (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) A.p; lft in ld 3 out; r.o wl, won at Umberleigh 3m mdn gf in Jun beating Pull The Trigger (12-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Swift Decision 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along 8f out, behind final 5f, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Bagad Bihoue (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (6) gf in Jul.
Uber Alles (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Led 2nd, soon headed, led 3rd until 4th, led before 5th, headed next, mistake 7th, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 10, 33l behind Banny's Lad (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (5) gf in Jul.
What A Joke (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, jumped right 2nd, ridden and one pace before 2 out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Banny's Lad (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Avithos 25-1 (11-0) Led 4f, pressed leader, led again 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 28 3/4l behind Libby T Valance (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Jun.
Fair Flora 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, outpaced after 4th, weakened next, last of 8, dist behind Only For Love (11-4) at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Jun.
Miss Mobot 5-1 (11-0) Held up behind, close up 5th, lost place after 4 out, soon behind, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in May.
Cordey Warrior 25-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, soon prominent, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 8, dist behind Rather Be (11-2) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
