held up, left prominent over 13f out, led over 4f out, drew clear final furlong
took keen hold, soon led, ran out on stable bend over 13f out
held up towards rear, took keen hold, left closer over 13f out, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway under pressure 4f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, led 11f out, headed over 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, took keen hold, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
mid-division, headway over 8f out, ridden over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, behind 5f out, tailed off
took keen hold, left in lead briefly when jinked right over 13f out, soon in rear, well behind over 5f out, passed tired rivals latter stages, tailed off
chased leaders, left in lead over 13f out, headed 11f out, chased winner over 4f out, no impression final furlong
prominent, jinked right over 13f out, ridden over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, left closer over 13f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway on inside over 7f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch on outside, ridden over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off
As is often the case in this grade there is little form for backers to go on in this bumper and what can only be a tentative vote goes to David Pipe's TAKAMARU, who ran promisingly first time up at Wincanton, and he gets the vote ahead of Five Star Wilsham and Kilmore West. Tim Vaughan's gelding makes his rules debut here but comes into this having shown progressive form in point-to-points in Ireland last year and the stable does do well with former trainer's runners so he has to be strongly respected. Grafite was a well held third on his Ludlow debut and of more interest may be Emma Lavelle's point-to-point winner Tim The Chair, who makes his rules debut this afternoon Cresswell Crusader ran promisingly first time up and is another to consider along with Educated Evans, who represents Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has a good record in bumpers. Five Star Wilsham made a pleasing debut at Wincanton earlier this month and has solid claims but marginal preference is for Takamaru, who can build on his Wincanton debut effort.
Cresswell Crusader 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 4th of 13, 15l behind Dingat (10-13) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Educated Evans (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent, led 8f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 20l behind De Forgotten Man (11-3) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Ohio Gold (10-8) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Grafite 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Old Mcdonald (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec.
Kilmore West (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chsd ldrs, 3rd & gng well 5out, 2nd from 2out, ld bef last, so & snugly at fin, won at Ballindenisk 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec beating Galway Jack (11-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Koralsdarling (IRE) Witness Box gelding out of Jenny's Jewel.
Luskentyre Bertolini gelding out of Sherkova.
Tim The Chair (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Alw pr, rcd 3rd, disp 3out, disp & lft clr 2out, row, won at Maralin 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Robbie's Boy (11-7) by 5l, 15 ran.
Wyck Hill (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) In touch, under pressure over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Dunraven Storm (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov.
Dirty Deal 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3f out, headed 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 17l behind Cresswell Bubbles (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m N H flat (6) gd in Aug.
Evening Haze 66-1 (10-0) Keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, struggling final 4f, tailed off, 10th of 13, 35l behind Adams Island (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
No More Favours 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened 3f out, 9th of 14, 18l behind Tiger Bay (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (6) std.
Takamaru (FR) 10-3fav (10-5) Held up in touch, led before halfway, ridden 3f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 9l behind Ohio Gold (10-8) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Belturbet (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Always struggling in rear, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Dusky Bob (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gs.
