led, ridden and headed over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on
pulled hard mid-division, headway after 6f, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 4f out, stayed on well final 2f, never reached leaders
towards rear, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly
prominent, ridden and every chance over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
In the bumper, the vote goes to Air Of Esteem, with Granny Shona and Miss Midnight rated as obvious contenders, while the betting should be watched with regard to some of the others. Granny Shona is very well-bred, being by Nashwan out of a Sadler's Wells mare and, although she was picked up for 15,000 guineas, her stable has been doing pretty well in bumpers this season, so a market move would be of interest. However, Air Of Esteem has achieved a decent level of form in three starts to date, including when an 11-length fourth behind Funny Times two runs ago. On the basis of that, we reckon that she is the one to beat. Having shown promise when runner-up on her debut Miss Midnight has to be granted some consideration also. Of the others, Bobs Finesse has something to like on breeding, as does Colline de Fleurs, whose dam is a half-sister to Earth Summit. From the Nicky Henderson yard, Floral Dream has to be considered, while Martovic is surely better than she has so far shown. Pairtree is possibly one to watch out for in the betting, as are Riffles, Silver Seline and Stormy Madam. Peter Easterby bred Supreme Nova, which makes that mare of interest but, for us, the vote goes to Air Of Esteem.
Bob's Finesse Gran Alba mare, half-sister to several winning jumpers.
Martovic (IRE) 100-1 Towards rear, behind final 6f, tailed off final 3f, last of 17, well behind Senorita Rumbalita at Aintree 2m 1f nhf lst (A) gs.
Pairtree Double Trigger mare, half-sister to bumper and hurdles winners including the useful Our Ben.
Air of Affection 5-2fav Towards rear, headway 6f out, effort 3f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Allegedly So at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gs.
Granny Shona (IRE) Nashwan filly, half-sister to Flat and hurdles winner Manoubi.
Miss Midnight 66-1 Held up in touch and keen, ridden 6f out, stayed on from 3f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Sunley Shines at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) gf.
Colline de Fleurs Alflora mare out of an unraced half-sister to Earth Summit.
Floral Dream 9-1 Mid-division, headway 7f out, outpaced over 4f out, 8th of 18, 24l behind Gay Gladys at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (H) gs in Mar.
