soon led, headed halfway, remained prominent until weakened 3f out
close up, led halfway, headed over 3f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, struggling from halfway
held up towards rear, headway and in touch over 5f out, no extra final 3f
held up towards rear, smooth headway halfway, led over 3f out, pushed out final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, no extra
in touch, weakened quickly halfway, soon tailed off
towards rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced 5f out, kept on one pace final 2f
An open bumper where the usual notional betting rules of stables who do well in this sphere and those who do well at the track are applied and on that basis our short list comprises King Of Slane, Steady Tiger and Fearmore and we take King Of Slane to score. Alan Swinbank¿s two most recent winners have come in bumpers and he can make it a third here with a horse that disappointed when sent off favourite for a similar contest at Sedgefield last year. A 282 day absence since then suggests that his performance was hindered by a problem other than lack of ability and so now that he is back on the racecourse and with his yard going well we will give him a second chance. Steady Tiger makes his debut for Nicky Richards, who has a 21 per cent strike rate in bumpers over the past five seasons, although betters that here by four per cent, and who is bang in form at present. It will be a surprise if the gelding does not run a big race, while Fearmore can improve for a Carlisle bumper outing in October and should get closer. Of the others, Silverdales will enjoy getting his toe in, but we prefer King Of Slane as our idea of the winner.
Burnt Ember (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding out of a prolific winner in Italy.
Chestnut Charlie (IRE) Desert King gelding, half-brother to winning miler Shakakhan.
King of Slane 4-1jt-fav (11-1) Keen early, tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 7f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 13, 38l behind Anchors Away (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Philip Pirrip (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of winning hurdler/chaser Ardrina.
Silverdales Silver Patriarch gelding, half-brother to bumper and hurdles winner Aerion.
Skipping Chapel Minster Son gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Fearless Foursome.
Steady Tiger (IRE) Presenting gelding out of an unraced mare.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, ridden 7f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 41l behind True Star (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Fearmore 22-1 (10-5) Behind until kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 4th of 13, 16l behind Turbo Linn (10-5) at Carlisle 1m 6f nhf (6) hvy in Oct.
Mischievous Josh Classic Cliche gelding out of a once-raced mare.
Watts Way Rambling Bear gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Cross The Palm (IRE) Great Palm filly, half-sister to bumper and hurdles winner Young Albert.
Millie The Filly 16-1 (10-5) With leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 24l behind Theatre Girl (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) hvy.
Ella Maccadella 100-1 (10-7) With leaders, led halfway, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 34l behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd.
