mid-division, headway after 4th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead when edged left before last, kept on
disputed lead, outpaced approaching 4 out, soon lost place, no impression from next
mid-division, hit 3rd, headway and in touch next, led after 4 out, hard pressed when wandered 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace
towards rear, struggling 4th, tailed off 4 out
towards rear, chased leaders under pressure before 4 out, effort next, kept on same pace, no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
made most to after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 4th, weakened before 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
in rear, struggling from 2nd, soon lost touch, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, 4th and beaten when hit next, soon weakened
behind, mistake 2nd, soon struggling, lost touch 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
This looks to be a competitive novice event for the time of year with all three previous winners open to further improvement. Princely Player may not be suited by the drop back to 2m having won over 2m4f at Taunton, however, while Hinton Indiana may also need further. But Black Thunder was second to the smart Tetlami over this trip before winning over further in December and should figure with his stable back in form. MR HOOPER won his bumper here just over a year ago and that race has produced plenty of winners. He may just have needed the run when narrowly beaten on his hurdling debut at Lingfield and can go one better here. Crystal Swing showed promise when second at Sandown last month, despite being beaten 20 lengths - he may be best of the rest.
Black Thunder (FR) 6-4fav (10-10) In touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, led narrowly last, ridden and hung left final 110 yards, held on near finish, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Captain Sunshine (10-10) by nk, 13 ran.
Hinton Indiana 10-3 (11-8) In touch, chased leader before 4 out, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 5l behind Asaid (10-8) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Princely Player (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leader until after 5th, prominent, went 2nd again 3 out, led 2 out, in command last, came readily clear flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Jump City (11-9) by 5l, 11 ran.
Ata Boy (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up, some headway 5f out, no impression, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Ludlow 1m 6f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Littledean Jimmy (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, blundered 6th, never dangerous, 10th of 11, well behind Patavium (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Lucky Prince 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 41l behind Call Back (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mr Hooper 3-1 (11-3) Chased leader, narrow lead after 4th, narrowly headed before 2 out, strong rally and every chance last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Barlow (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Saffron Sam 66-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, tailed off no chance and struggling when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Swincombe Flame (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Tiagra 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, hit 4 out and struggling, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Plenty Pocket (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Twyford 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, ridden one pace and no impression on long run to last, 4th of 13, 25l behind Marcus Antonius (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Un Bon P'tit Gars (FR) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Nee A Saint Voir.
Sugar And Spice 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, 17l behind Midnight Minx (11-2) at Kempton 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Feb.
Crystal Swing 40-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway to 4th before 2 out, went 3rd and hit 2 out, no extra between last 2, hit last, 2nd of 8, 20l behind Oscara Dara (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Russe Blanc (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 12, 46l behind Big Occasion (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
