led to 1mile out, chased leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 6f out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leader 7f out, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
mid-division, ridden 4f out, kept on well to go 3rd from 2f out
held up mid-division, headway 6f out, chased leader 5f out, led over 1f out, shaken up and quickened, soon clear, comfortably
in touch, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace from 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden 7f out, soon no impression
chased leader, led 1 mile out, headed 5f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and chased leaders 4f out, kept on same pace from 2f out
With so little experience on offer the market will probably be our best guide to this bumper, but as we have to make a selection in advance the Paul Nicholls-trained I'msingingtheblues is taken to be good enough, while Cracking Cliche, Isn't That Lucky and Gem Mill can all show up well. The selection cost 18,000 gns and is out of a winning hurdler, so is bred for the game. His trainer does well with his bumper runners here and rarely sends his runners out to the racecourse when they are not fit to do a job, so with that in mind we give him the nod. Cracking Cliche is from a yard in flying form, that of Venetia Williams. She is a half sister to a bumper winner, and is related to other successful horses so she is likely to go very well. Isn't That Lucky is another from a yard who do well in this department and who continue to send out winners. From the family of Arkle, if the juvenile turns out to be half as good as that exalted chaser he will give connections a great deal of pleasure and who's to say it won't begin today? Of the remainder Gem Mill and Tara Queen can both improve for their debuts but we prefer I'msingingtheblues to make it a miserable finale for the bookies.
Gem Mill (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Always behind, 14th of 19, well behind Alternator (11-0) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Maximus Meridus 100-1 (10-13) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 22, 42l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec.
Now Lyn 33-1 (10-11) Soon behind, tailed off from halfway, 9th of 12, well behind Galoshes (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Cracking Cliche Classic Cliche mare, half-sister to numerous winners up to 1m3f and over jumps.
Maybe A Malt (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up behind, steady headway from 6f out, stayed on final 2f, 6th of 16, 25l behind Princess Flame (11-3) at Fontwell 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Isn't That Lucky Alflora gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/bumper Wee Robbie.
Pivot of Jade Pivotal gelding, half-brother to numerous winners up to 1m.
Tom Fontenailles (FR) Kaldounevees gelding, brother to 1m2f & 1m3f winner Roger Fontenaille, half-brother to winners up to 1m3f.
Wizard Time Wizard King gelding out of winning sprinter It'safact.
Le Marron Rambling Bear filly out of winning hurdler Stone Madness.
Storm Haven Most Welcome filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Tara Queen 13-2 (10-7) Mid-division, effort 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 18, 9l behind Fiddling Again (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft in Dec.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) Pistolet Bleu gelding out of winning hurdler Nova Rose.
