held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out
in touch, outpaced 7f out, stayed on and no impression over 1f out
held up towards rear, outpaced 4f out
led and raced keen, headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 9f out, soon weakened, tailed 7f out
tracked leader, challenged 2f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approach 4 out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, headed inside last, stayed on under pressure, just held
held up, ridden halfway, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 6f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 2f out, soon headed, one pace
A race full of interest, with Asturion selected ahead of Hammer Time, Scale Bank, Triton and Pebrock. A 36,000 euros purchase, Asturion rates as very interesting having been sent over from Germany for this bumper. Canny Bay is related to a number of Flat winners and is maybe one to watch in the betting, while Hammer Time's Cheltenham seventh to the decent Quartano rates as a promising effort and he gets a good shout. National Health is impeccably bred - he is a Chevely Park Stud cast-off - but was sold fairly cheaply last August so must have had his problems. Pebrock is another to rate as very interesting on breeding, and his stable is in good form, while David Pipe's representative, Sabre Hongrois, did show some debut promise. With his ability to produce decent bumper winners proven, Alan Swinbank's Scale Bank is another to give some thought to, while Supreme Team has likeable breeding - although he is likely to need a trip in time - and Thebelloftheball was beaten around the same distance by Quartano as Hammer Time was when she met that opponent at Exeter in December. Finally, Triton is also very interesting on breeding, being a Juddmonte Farms cast-off. It all adds up to an interesting bumper, with the vote going to Asturion, but the betting market might provide a few clues too.
Asturion (GER) Sternkoenig colt, half-brother to several winners including smart 1m2f winner Acambaro and hurdler/chaser Auetaler.
Brenin Cwmtudu Saddlers' Hall gelding out of winning hurdler Keel Row.
Canny Bay Lahib gelding, half-brother to several winners including the versatile Calatagan.
Hammer Time (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, outpaced final 2f, 7th of 15, 19l behind Quartano (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) hvy.
National Health Medicean gelding out of a well-bred mare who ran only twice.
Pebrock (FR) Video Rock gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Lorient Express & 1m4f and hurdles winner Nikola.
Renege The Joker Alflora gelding out of winning miler Bunty.
Sabre Hongrois (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 8f out, every chance over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 9l behind Greenbridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) sft.
Scale Bank (IRE) Indian Danehill gelding out of Cory Everson.
Supreme Team (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Triton Observatory gelding, half-brother to 3 winners including the versatile In Question.
Jeanann's First Shahrastani filly out of a moderate racemare.
Jollie Abilola 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders until weakened over 3f out, 17th of 18, well behind Fiddling Again (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Thebelloftheball 16-1 (10-2) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 3f out, stayed on one pace after, 3rd of 13, 19l behind Quartano (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
