chased leader 7f, went 2nd again over 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up in touch, chased leader after 7f until ridden over 4f out, weakening when hung right and ran wide on bend entering straight, collapsed over 2f out
led until ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra towards finish
held up, headway on inside 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in touch, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on
held up, headway on outside over 4f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, switched left inside final furlong, kept on
Nothing stands out in the finale, but as Nicky Henderson has such a good record in bumpers, Slick is the pick over Principe Azzurro and Sabreur. Slick made his debut at Kempton in March and was a warm order to oblige, but was found wanting as he weakened with two furlongs to go behind Grenfell. There were no excuses offered for the French-Bred's effort other than the fact that he was not good enough on the day. He has now been found an easier opportunity though, and the going is slightly faster, so we shall see if that makes a difference today. Principe Azzuro is by Pistolet Bleu and was an encouraging fourth in a soft-ground Sandown bumper in February. He looks a threat along with Sabreur who hung under pressure when fifth on his Haydock bow in March. He will come on for the run though and makes most appeal of the rest. Slick is by no means a good thing, but connections will be disappointed if he does not improve markedly on what he showed at Kempton.
