close up, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 11th, headed before and blundered 2 out, soon weakened
led to 11th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
HUMPHREY BEE is lightly raced for his age and ran well for a long way behind Seebright in a better race over course and distance last month. A repeat of that effort would give him every chance today and he's preferred to the frustrating Gentle Bob and Killeenmore, who won over hurdles earlier in his career but looks very one-paced nowadays. Wild Geese is only 4lb higher than when winning this 12 months ago and can't be ruled out as he didn't stay the longer trip here last month.
Wild Geese (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Mid-division on outside, not fluent 3rd, dropped towards rear 5th, struggling when hampered 18th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bertie Milan (10-0) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Gentle Bob (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Not that fluent, led until 1st, prominent, mistake 11th, 3rd and beaten 4 out, weakened from next, lost 3rd before last, 4th of 7, 41l behind Ballylifen (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Humphrey Bee (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Led until 3rd, led next, jumped right and bumped rival when headed 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 8, 9l behind Seebright (11-8) at Perth 3m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Apr.
Killeenmore (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, not always fluent jumping, 11th before halfway, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 6th of 18, 32l behind Witness Of Fashion (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Feb.
