always in rear, behind from 8th, went remote 3rd flat, tailed off
made all, jumped right 1st, drew well clear before last, very easily
chased winner until 5th, not fluent 8th, weakened after 2 out, lost remote 3rd flat, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden and beaten after 2 out, well held last
always towards rear, mistake 5th, well behind 8th, tailed off
Points winner Sporting Mike was disappointing on his debut under Rules in a bumper. HERMES ALLEN has also won between the flags and is the first foal to race of a smart jumper who won over hurdles and fences in Ireland – he could have a bright future. Theatre Man placed three times in bumpers and could be the one for forecast-backers with Another Brown Bear failing to build on a decent second at Ludlow last year.
Another Brown Bear (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Jumped left early, led 1st, headed before 5th, not fluent 8th or 12th, lost place before 13th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Hermes Allen (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Pr & jmpd right, prog to 3l adv 1/2way, chall bef 2out & sn rdn, 3l adv aftr 2out & wo, rdn str, 2l adv last, kow, won at Kirkistown 3m mdn gs in Nov beating Spectacular Genius (11-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
Sporting Mike (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Prominent, lost place 8f out, well beaten final 4f, 9th of 10, dist behind Sporting Ace (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Theatre Man (IRE) 10-3fav (11-1) Mid-division, nudged along 4f out, ridden for effort over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Bingoo (11-1) at Hexham 2m (5) gs in Apr.
Shesasuperstar (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 5th, well beaten before 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Apple Away (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
