held up towards rear, never near leaders
took keen hold, led after 1f, headed 7f out, weakened quickly, virtually pulled up final 3f, tailed off
well behind from halfway, virtually pulled up final 3f, tailed off
prominent, every chance 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, weakened over 5f out
held up, headway over 4f out, stayed on well final 2f, went 2nd close home
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon struggling
mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
held up in touch, led over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
held up in touch, driven over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, no danger after
mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened well over 2f out
led 1f, prominent, led over 7f out, headed over 5f out, weakened well over 2f out
held up, headway on inside over 6f out, not clear run over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up in touch, driven over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
took keen hold, prominent until ridden and weakened over 7f out
held up in touch, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up and behind, pushed along after 4f, never near leaders
A big field for this bumper, where we are probably best to look for the winner from those who are proven in this sphere, and Nicky Henderson's Promise To Be Good gets our vote, with Buffers Lane, Templar and the Big Canadian others to watch for any market interest. The selection has the plus of experience on his side here, with two runs already in similar contests. His second at Kempton probably sets the standard here, although he was well beaten in Grade 2 company at Aintree next time. The yard have been having a winner or two from few starts, so we'll take the plunge on him. The others mentioned all come from yards who do well in this category, though only Buffers Lane has seen a racecourse, and that one could well be involved here, with the Twiston-Davies runners also going pretty well. Watch the market, as always in these contests, but Promise To Be Good is our suggestion.
Aaron's Run 66-1 (11-4) Held up, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 17, 30l behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Aug.
Baltracy Cross (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, completely tailed off, last of 25, well behind Nay (11-7) at Punchestown 2m nhf sft in Apr.
Ben The Brave (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Behind from halfway, 13th of 14, well behind Oscardeal (10-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Buffers Lane (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) fell 2 out in race won by Portavo (11-7) at Loughanmore 3m ptp gs in Oct '04, 12 ran.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up, headway to chase leaders 6f out, ridden and one pace when brought down on home bend 3f out brought down in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in May, 12 ran.
Divex (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up, headway over 6f out to chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 16, 15l behind Harry Flashman (10-10) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Harwood Dale 7-1 (11-7) unseated rider in race won by Skew Whip (12-0) at Charm Park 3m ptp gd in Mar, 9 ran.
It's No Easy (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Millestore Superlative gelding out of an unraced mare.
Nevertika (FR) Subotica gelding out of a placed chaser in France.
Promise To Be Good 50-1 (10-12) In touch until ridden and weakened over 3f out, 15th of 22, 43l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Red Granite 50-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 21, 10l behind Hi Humpfree (11-1) at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Secured (IRE) Safety Catch gelding, half-brother to bumper and hurdles winner Mister Mustard.
Silent Bay Karinga Bay gelding out of flat and hurdles winner Lady Rosanna.
Templer (IRE) Charmer gelding, half-brother to smart hurdler In Contrast and a bumper winner.
The Big Canadian (IRE) Presenting gelding, half-brother to bumper and hurdles winner Il Duce.
Tongariro Crossing (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3f out, faded final 2f, 6th of 14, 22l behind Malt de Vergy (11-8) at Kelso 2m nhf (H) gf in May.
Topwell 8-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place halfway, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Rising Tempest (10-1) at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gf in Sept.
Create A Storm (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 18, 28l behind Funny Times (10-10) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (A) gs in Mar.
Dark Rosalina Defacto filly out of an unraced mare.
