tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, challenged approaching last, kept on but no impression on winner towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, well beaten from 4 out
held up in mid-division, shaken up after 4 out, headway 2 out, went 3rd between last 2nd, in tight to the last, 5th and no extra flat
made all, shaken up and pressed before last, ridden flat, asserted towards finish
held up towards rear, well beaten 3 out
held up in rear, well beaten 3 out
tracked winner, jumped left, not fluent 1st, slow 3rd, not fluent and lost 2nd 3 out, mistake 2 out, well held by front pair before last
soon settled back into mid-division, slow 4th, headway approaching last, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
Deyrann De Carjac probably sets a decent standard in this, despite carrying a penalty. He wasn’t beaten far behind the smart Kalishnikov on his hurdling debut last season and was second in a decent contest at Ayr before winning by 20 lengths at Warwick in May. Nicky Henderson’s stable is already firing on all cylinders and Pym boasted useful form in bumpers last season. VOLCANO ran in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, a reliable source for novice hurdles winners the following season. He never figured but was having his first run for a new yard that day and looks a nice prospect. Umdeni justified favouritism in a Warwick bumper in April but it probably wasn’t the strongest of contests. Auld Sod lacks the scope of some of these.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 2-5fav (11-2) Chased leaders, smooth progress 3 out, led before next, drew clear approaching last, easily, won at Warwick 2m mdn (4) gd in May beating Sgroppino (11-2) by 20l, 5 ran.
Auld Sod (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 12 1/2l behind Shiroccan Roll (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Sep.
Demon Fou (FR) Le Fou gelding out of Nevka.
Duc De Beauchene (FR) 5-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 23 1/2l behind Kalashnikov (10-11) at Wetherby 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Pym (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into mid-division past beaten horses final furlong, never threatened leaders, 9th of 20, 17 3/4l behind Portrush Ted (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Some Can Dance (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, soon closed, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 31 1/2l behind Ilewin Geez (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
The Boom Is Back (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, no chance when hit 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 28 1/4l behind Arian (10-7) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Umndeni (FR) 3-1fav (10-11) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden final furlong, stayed on well, readily, won at Warwick 2m (5) gs in Apr beating Morning Vicar (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
Volcano (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, weakened final 2f, 18th of 23, 34 1/2l behind Relegate (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Realms Of Fire 20-1 (10-12) Last pair, ridden and struggling in rear after 4 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Val Mome (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
