towards rear, pushed along 6f out, headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up in mid-division, headway over 6f out, every chance over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, headway to lead 3f out, drew clear over 1f out
led until ran out on bend after 5f
towards rear, some headway under pressure 5f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 5f out, effort 3f out, no extra final 2f
in touch, pushed along 7f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in rear, headway 6f out to chase leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied to chase winner inside final furlong
pulled hard in rear, headway over 6f out, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, pushed along 5f out, stayed on same pace final 3f
tracked leaders, left in lead on bend after 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
Giveusaclue is selected to land the bumper, with newcomers Smart Tom and Platin Grounds just a couple more worth a mention. Jonjo O'Neill can normally be relied upon to send out a few winners in this sphere each season, and on the strength of a promising debut third at Market Rasen a fortnight ago, Giveusaclue is fancied to improve enough to open his account here. Nigel Twiston-Davies is another that generally has his bumper runners ready so the German-bred Platin Grounds has to be of interest along with Smart Tom. The latter is by Best Mate's sire Un Desperado and may well develop into a decent chaser himself in time. Any support in the ring for Richard Philips' charge would be important, as it would for Mick Easterby's Opio who brings some experience to bear on proceedings. They can all play a part, with Giveusaclue the one to be on.
Darazari Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Phardessa (10-6) at Ayr 2m nhf (4) gd in Apr.
Devils And Dust (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 6f out, 16th of 17, well behind Chaim (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Giveusaclue (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Super Nick (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) sft.
Opio (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, led or disputed lead, ridden and headed well over 1f out, edged left and kept on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Nodforms Victoria (10-13) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gd.
Prince Ickarus (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Prominent to over 6f out, 10th of 13, 40l behind Unjust Law (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Smart Tom (IRE) Un Desperado gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Tom's Toybox 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 20l behind New Dancer (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gf in Feb.
Top Dressing (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Held up, headway halfway, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 48l behind Stagecoach Opal (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft in Feb.
