mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, effort between last 2, ridden and ran on after last, soon every chance, held towards finish
tracked leader, driven and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway on outside after 4 out, tracked leader after next, upsides last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, driven and one pace when not fluent last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
always towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, switched outside before last, edged left and ran on flat, led towards finish
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, soon ridden, hard pressed last, kept on under pressure flat, headed and no extra towards finish
led to before 3 out where not fluent, soon lost place, weakened next, tailed off
always in rear, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 4th, driven after 4 out, never on terms, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, reminders after 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, driven before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leaders
CAUSE TOUJOURS (NAP) was backed into favouritism in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March. He only finished ninth having found a lack of comparative experience too much of a hurdle to overcome but that race is almost always a rich source of subsequent hurdles winners and Dan Skelton's charge can make the most of the weight he receives from the penalised Counter Shy. The latter did easily beat a subsequent scorer at Worcester last month on his hurdles bow, however, and also looks a nice prospect. Dakkar Collonges is one to note for future reference and Blazon, Midnight Shadow and Monty's Award have all won bumpers so can't be ignored as they all have plenty of scope.
Counter Shy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders who went clear after 2nd, left 2nd next, closed 4th, quickened to lead flat, readily, won at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Banditry (11-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Blazon 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, bumped 3 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 10l behind Herewego Herewego (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Cause Toujours (FR) 9-2fav (11-5) In touch, tracked leaders 3f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 22, 10 3/4l behind Fayonagh (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Dakkar Collonges (FR) (10-3) 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Danse Avec Jersey (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Mar.
Don't Act Up 8-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never on terms, 7th of 11, 32 3/4l behind Excellent Team (11-6) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Innisfree Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place after 3rd, soon behind, 8th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Resolution Bay (11-5) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Midnight Shadow 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 7th of 20, 12 1/4l behind Bullionaire (10-10) at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Mar.
Monty's Award (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace in 4th over 2f out, 4th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Black Op (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb.
Royal Act 16-1 (10-12) Held up behind, struggling 3 out, plugged on into modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 7, dist behind Hint Of Grey (10-8) at Hexham 2m (4) gd in May.
Scorpions Sound (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Pressed winner until 6f out, weakening when not much room over 4f out, tailed off when eased inside final 2f, 7th of 9, dist behind Dandy Dan (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in May.
The Flame (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, no chance with leaders, weakened after next, tailed off, 7th of 12, dist behind Bedrock (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
The Manuscript (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Limavady.
Kikimora 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders early, soon restrained in rear, detached 5th, soon beaten, 9th of 11, dist behind Palmers Hill (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Shroughmore Lass (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 4th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Rebel Yeats (11-0) at Warwick 2m mdn (5) gs in May.
