chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, hung badly left 3f out, stayed on same pace
prominent until 9f out, soon struggling, tailed off
ran green early, took keen hold in mid-division, headway 9f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, lost place after 4f, no danger after
held up, headway 3f out, no impression on leaders when hung left over 1f out
mid-division, headway 6f out, every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 4f, ran green, headway 3f out, stayed on one pace
led after 2f, headed 6f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 9f out, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, came clear final furlong
held up in touch, lost place halfway
pulled hard early, soon well behind, tailed off
always prominent, led 6f out, hung left over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra
went prominent after 2f, ridden, weakened over 3f out
led early, settled in touch, lost place halfway, stayed on again final 2f, no impression on leaders
soon led, headed after 2f, chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Magical Harry, Gold Beach and The Hollow Bottom are the three for the shortlist in this bumper to close the card and the vote is given to Magical Harry. The market should be monitored for signs of confidence but the selection has plenty in his favour and anything that Paul Nicholls sends to post in these type of events has to be respected. Magical Harry is a well-bred type and if the market vibes are positive then he will be hard to oppose. Gold Beach and The Hollow Bottom rate as the main dangers as they both made pleasing debuts over this course and distance last time. The Hollow Bottom narrowly got the better of Gold Beach that day but both are entitled to come on for the run and they are likely to be the pair to profit if the selection fails to fire. Mister Chatterbox is a newcomer from the Phillip Hobbs yard and could be interesting, but in a race where the market may well provide the clues, we will side with Magical Harry as our idea of the winner.
The Hollow Bottom 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov beating Gold Beach (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Come On Jim (IRE) Goldmark gelding, half-brother to winners at 1m2f and 5f.
Dryliner 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, brief effort over 6f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Asudo (10-11) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov.
Gold Beach (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind The Hollow Bottom (10-8) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Kadanza 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 7f out, 11th of 12, 43l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Kilkilian (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, headway over 7f out, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Venice Road (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Feb.
Magical Harry 6-4fav (11-7) 3rd of 7, 13l behind Umista (11-9) at Great Trethew 2m 4f ptp gd in Feb.
Midnight Star 66-1 (11-1) Led 6f, weakened 7f out, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Mister Chatterbox (IRE) Presenting gelding out of winning Irish pointer Lotta Talk.
Percy Jay (NZ) 25-1 (11-4) In touch, behind halfway, 15th of 17, well behind Notaproblem (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Ringaroses Karinga Bay gelding, half-brother to numerous winning jumpers including the useful Cardinal Red and Frosty Canyon.
Swete Deva 66-1 (10-13) Led, headed 9f, weakened over 4f out, 10th of 12, 43l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Tanners Grove Theatrical Charmer gelding, half-brother to several winners on the flat and over hurdles.
The Rocking Dock (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up, progress on outer over 4f out, 6th approaching straight, soon weakened, 9th of 20, well behind Lord Oriel (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m nhf hvy.
William Butler (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) 4th of 11, 26l behind Themasondixonline (12-0) at Roscommon Points 3m ire ptp sft in Nov '04.
Dateldoo (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden and outpaced 4f out, hung left and came wide into straight over 4f out, ran on flat, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Surfboard (10-8) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Oct.
Golden Inca Sovereign Water mare out of a moderate maiden.
Miss Chippy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, stayed on one pace from 2f out to chase leading pair 1f out, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Ben's Turn (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gs in Nov.
