mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd towards finish
chased leaders on inside, ridden inside final 2f, soon every chance, no extra inside final furlong
sweating, held up tracking leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, soon pushed along, ridden and every chance when hung left entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
led until 6f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
raced wide in mid-division, good headway chasing leaders on home turn, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon edged left, headed towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
mid-division on inside, headway and plugged on final 2f
raced wide, chased leader, led 6f out until 5f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
held up in last pair, good headway on wide outside home turn, challenged and edged left inside final furlong, led towards finish
Several top yards are represented in an interesting bumper. Philip Hobbs’ Canastero improved to finish third at Uttoxeter but it will be a surprise if there aren’t others with more scope. Rectory Oak is by top NH sire Oscar but has been absent since finishing second at Exeter in May of last year. Isle Of Aron had a subsequent hurdles winner behind when second to an easy winner at Musselburgh in February but FAN CLUB AULMES’ dam won a bumper and the Skelton runner can keep up the family tradition having cost connections £32,000. Royal Pretender, Stoop Lead and the filly Lady Jane P are all bred to win races and are worth a market check.
Canastero (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led and set a steady gallop, ridden and effort 2f out, outpaced final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind The Trampolinist (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) gs in Sep.
Fan Club Aulmes (FR) Della Francesca gelding out of Tanette Des Aulmes.
Isle Of Aron 4-1 (10-7) Tracked winner, pushed along 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, went 2nd again final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Dubai Guest (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Johnofgorcombe 100-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, mid-division, reminders and lost place halfway, soon behind, continued tailed off, last of 14, dist behind Supamouse (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) hvy in Dec.
Light N Strike (IRE) Leading Light gelding out of One Rose.
Members Bounce (IRE) Ask gelding out of Super Sandie.
Rectory Oak (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Keen, prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Story Of Friends (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) gd in May.
Royal Pretender (FR) Great Pretender gelding out of Robinia Directa.
Stoop Lead (IRE) Jeremy gelding out of The Only Girl.
Lady Jane P (IRE) Walk In The Park filly out of Rosee Des Bieffes.