in touch, went 3rd over 3f out, one pace
led, headed after 3f, led again before 4f out, headed 3f out, no extra over 1f out
close up, led after 3f, headed over 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, plugged on and no impression
held up towards rear, reminders after halfway, behind when fell 5f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off over 4f out
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, soon lost place
in touch, lost place over 6f out
in rear and outpaced, soon tailed off, pulled up before halfway
always towards rear, tailed off over 4f out
mid-division, headway over 6f out, led 3f out, clear final furlong
Burlington Bert made a winning start in bumpers in May but was well beaten at Ascot in December albeit on his first start since. Applaus also failed to cope with a penalty at Newcastle last time having won a junior bumper over 1m4f here before that. It remains to be seen how SPIRIT OF KAYF gets on penalised for his win at Ayr last month but he won with a bit to spare and gets the nod. Newcomers to note include Sam's Adventure, related to three bumper winners and Smart Boy, a half-brother to the useful chaser Outlaw Pete.
Burlington Bert (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked clear leader 4f, chased leaders, closed 7f out, pushed along over 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 5th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Coeur Blimey (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Spirit Of Kayf 3-1 (11-5) Made all, joined after 6f, clear over 3f out to over 2f out, soon pressed, ridden clear again over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Jan beating Reivers Lad (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bering Upsun And Beyond gelding out of Bering Up.
Eastview Boy 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd over 1f out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Tomngerry (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) hvy in Dec.
Flying Jack 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 6, 28l behind Storm Forecast (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov.
Hollins Hill Lucarno gelding out of Bonnie Buttons.
Smart Boy (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Supreme Style.
Spirit Of Hale (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place before halfway, rallied over 2f out, never a threat, 5th of 7, 31 3/4l behind Matchaway (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Lady Broome Erhaab M out of Minnesinger.
Len's Legacy (IRE) Fruits Of Love gelding out of Manucrin.
Sam's Adventure Black Sam Bellamy gelding out of My Adventure.
Applaus (GER) 1-2fav (11-5) Led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 15 1/4l behind Red Indian (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 7f (6) hvy in Dec.
Desert Sensation (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 37l behind Red Indian (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 7f (6) hvy in Dec.
Sam Spinner Black Sam Bellamy gelding out of Dawn Spinner.
