in touch, not fluent 3rd, chased leader after 7th, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
took keen hold early, held up, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up behind, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
in touch, blundered 7th, ridden to lead briefly approaching 3 out, one pace after
hit 3rd, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
led 2nd, soon clear, mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon headed and weakened
led until 2nd, chased leader until after 7th, gradually faded
in touch until 4th, tailed off from 8th
The fitness of Bumper has to be taken on trust and so a safer option could be Helm, with Koumba also expected to go well. Richard Rowe's charge was most impressive when successful at Folkestone last time out, beating Roaringwater by eleven lengths. That was his first run of the season and so he is entitled to improve and looks the one to be on. Bumper ended last campaign with a smooth victory over Seeador at Exeter. That was back in February and so he may just need this run to set him straight. Koumba was well supported on his latest run back in May but was a shade disappointing. He has claims on previous form and hails from a yard in good form. Lucky Do is another to consider for each-way purposes, but Helm has less questions to answer than most and he gets our vote.
Chicago Bulls (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven 6th, ridden and weakening when jumped left 3 out, 6th of 11, 12l behind Rowley Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Bumper (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 5th, with leaders after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on to lead last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Seeador (10-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Helm (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) In touch, headway 3 out, led well before last, ridden clear, comfortably, won at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov beating Roaringwater (11-8) by 11l, 9 ran.
Lucky Do (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 13, 13l behind Abragante (11-3) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Noble Calling (FR) 22-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 7l behind Parkinson (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Manawanui 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Fountain Crumble (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Shernatra (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Hill Forts Timmy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Koumba (FR) 10-3fav (11-7) Led, hit 5th, headed 9th, ridden after next, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 8l behind Jackie Boy (10-12) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
The Teuchter 100-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 5th, lost place next, slow 7th, soon tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Fair Question (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
