tracked leaders, every chance over 4f out, ridden over 2f, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
keen and soon led, ran out after 4f
towards rear, lost touch halfway
mid-division until ridden and weakened 4f out
towards rear, reminder 6f out, headway to lead over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on gamely
tracked leaders, smooth headway and every chance over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f out
led briefly and tracked leader, left leader after 5f, headed over 4f out, ridden and soon weakened
With little shown by those with racecourse experience this bumper may well go to a newcomer and the suggestion is China House, while Letterpress can emerge next best. China House hails from a yard that does well in this sphere and is related to Grand National winner Amberleigh House, so stamina will eventually prove to be his forte. He will need that here though with the heavy ground conditions and a check of his pedigree reveals that his sire Flemensfirth acted with plenty of cut, so that can prove a big help here. Letterpress cost the Wylies 15,000 guineas and his dam is a half-sister to the formerly useful Wahiba Sands, so is respected, but pedigree suggests that he will want better ground to be at his best. Short Straw and Sugar Daddy are both related to winners and may be able to fight for a place in the frame, and of course you will need to keep an eye on the market for further clues but without that knowledge we'll take China House to score.
China House (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding, half-brother to Grand National winner Amberleigh House and winning bumper The Guarantor.
Isla Pearl Fisher 40-1 (11-4) Held up, weakened 3f out, 10th of 19, 32l behind Kaskader (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Key To Caius (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost touch from halfway, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Theatrical Moment (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan '07.
Short Straw (IRE) Lord Americo gelding, brother to winning hurdler/chaser Chadswell.
Sugar Daddy Sugarfoot gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Vin St Looka and sprinter Nieve Lady.
Warnell View Weldnaas gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Crofton Arch.
Copper Sound Supreme Sound gelding out of an unraced mare.
Letterpress (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Tek A Deek Zaha gelding, brother to winning sprinter Baytown Blaze.
Over The Odds 100-1 (10-9) Led, ridden, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 16l behind Lady Bluesky (10-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs.
