led, ridden and headed 4f out, faded from over 1f out
mid-division on outside, outpaced soon after halfway, stayed on again to chase leaders 2f out, no chance with leader
held up, reminders after 4f, tailed off 6f out
held up, in touch, chased winner over 3f out, under pressure and hung right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden and weakened 6f out
in touch and keen, led 4f out, ridden clear over 1f out
in touch, lost place after 4f, soon tailed off
held up rear, steady headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, steady headway over 6f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, finished tired
prominent and keen, ridden halfway, weakened over 4f out
BALNAHINCH is the recommendation in the first division of the bumper with King Raven and Pliny likely to give him most to do. Henrietta Knight's charge should not want for fitness as he had two runs in point to points in Ireland, the latter a win over three miles at Loughanmore. King Raven had won a point in Ireland in January. He was third on British debut at Folkestone and while the winner had something of a reputation on the day, he did prove a little disappointing at Hereford when tried over hurdles on Monday. Pliny was raced prominently at Chepstow on debut and should have learnt a lot for the first run. The market will tell us what is anticipated from The Pike. Half Hib is a half-brother to mudloving stayer, What-A-Scientist while Sweet Patrick is a rare bumper runner from the Richard Guest yard. Not a lot of rules form to go on so we stick with the likely fitness of Balnahinch.
Balnahinch (IRE) (11-7) won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov beating Potters Wall (11-7) by 3l, 13 ran.
Half Hib (IRE) Lahib gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler What A Scientist.
Just Designs 200-1 (11-2) Led 2f, remained prominent, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Flemmingsbond (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Nov.
King Raven (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Zarrafakt (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Nonononoyes My Best Valentine gelding out of Kinkajoo.
Pliny (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, plugged on one pace, 5th of 11, 17l behind Alfie Sherrin (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Sweet Patrick Overbury gelding out of Blooming Spring.
Tara Slane 50-1 (10-11) Behind until kept on final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 14, 19l behind Rubys Cove (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
The Pike (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of Honey Mountain.
Play A Cord (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 18l behind Alfie Sherrin (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
