chased leaders until reminders approaching 5th, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4 out, led after last, stayed on flat, driven out
tracked leader and keen, ridden to lead last, soon headed, kept on flat
held up, pushed along 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
led, clear halfway, mistake 2 out, weakening when headed last
PUTNEY BRIDGE built on the big impression he made when winning his Irish bumper to land a Stratford bumper on his UK debut last March and providing fitness is not an issue, he could well prove the one to beat. The fact he won two bumpers is a reflection of his class as he does not strike as a typical bumper sort. He should relish the stamina test that today's ground conditions will provide. Bogside Theatre proved herself a progressive stayer on the flat throughout last season. The ground in the Cesarewitch was on the fast side for her and if taking to hurdling, she could be an exciting sort for mares races as the season progresses. Prince De Beauchene is a dual winner on easy surfaces in his native land. Stamina does appear his forte while Howard Johnson has his string in fine form of late. The winner is likely to emerge from those first three mentioned but keep a close eye on market support for the French recruit Ockey De Neulliac while Sphinx is belatedly tackling hurdles at the ripe old age of 10 but is a soft ground performer. Putney Bridge is nominated to win it.
Ashtonmore 150-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 15, well behind Little Josh (11-6) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Lockstown 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 14l behind Emmenso (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) (10-1) Led 3f out, won at Argentan 1m 6f stk frm in Nov '07 beating Ozari (10-10) by 2l, 12 ran (Flat).
Prince De Beauchene (FR) (10-5) Held up, kept on steadily, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Pat'riote (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 5f chs sft in May.
Putney Bridge 5-2fav (11-4) Made all, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m nhf (5) sft in Mar beating No Panic (11-9) by 6l, 10 ran.
Sphinx (FR) 16-1 (9-5) Held up and keen, chased leaders over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 8l behind Nemo Spirit (8-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-100 (2) sft (Flat).
Bogside Theatre (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Led until over 3f out, soon weakened, 27th of 32, well behind Caracciola (9-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gd in Oct (Flat).
