led, headed and tracked leader 2nd, mid-division after 4th, headway to press leader before 4 out, led again home turn, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and forged on approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, lost position and in rear before 3 out where mistake and soon beaten
prominent, led 2nd, headed and remained handy after 4th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, awkward 3 out and pushed along, plugged on, ridden and took 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
raced keenly in mid-division, led after 4th, headed before 3 out, remained close up, pushed along and weakened approaching last
towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms
Several bumper winners line up for this. Stowaway Jess is one but she only beat one home on her hurdling debut at Market Rasen in February. GENOVESE was just behind a subsequent winner when third at Southwell in November. He was giving the first two 7lb courtesy of an earlier win at Worcester and is bred for jumping being a half-brother to hurdles and points winner Senor Lombardy. Out Of Focus, a winner at Hereford in February, is also a half-brother to a hurdles winner. The Punt lacks a recent run but Clody Flyer won’t be far away if building on a second to a subsequent winner at Wetherby on his hurdles bow.
Clody Flyer (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Raced on inside, chased leader, led after 4 out, went left 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when went left last, headed and unable to quicken final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Resplendent Grey (11-6) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Even Break (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Mid-division, not fluent 4 out, soon tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Soldat Forte (11-6) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Hidol Du Livet (FR) 6-1 (12-2) Tr ldrs, 7th 1/2way, rdn in mod 5th aftr 3out, sn no ex, ko onepce, went 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Ask The Bishop (12-2) at Borris House 3m mdn Yielding in Dec.
Out Of Focus (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Led until narrowly headed going out on last circuit, led again halfway, came clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m (5) gd in Feb beating Chevington (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
The Punt 3-1 (11-4) Held up, headway under pressure 3f out, went 2nd 2f out and chased clear leader thereafter, kept on well, promising, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Far Sight (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Smart Deal 11-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, led and wandered into 1st, wandered into 3rd, headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 6, 37l behind Bois Guillbert (11-0) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Stowaway Jess 20-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along 4 out, struggling next, never on terms, 5th of 6, 29 3/4l behind Kateira (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (3) gd in Feb.
Ballyrashane (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden along and struggling after 4 out, always behind, last of 7, dist behind Amoola Gold (11-9) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Cuban Court (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Prominent, pushed along 4f out, gradually weakened, 12th of 14, dist behind Bertie's Ballet (11-9) at Kelso 2m (2) sft in Mar.
Genovese (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In rear, smooth headway on outer 6f out, close up 4f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Guard Duty (11-0) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Hugueneau (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, towards rear and no chance when slightly hampered by faller next, 10th of 13, 21l behind Resplendent Grey (11-6) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr.
