held up last, steady headway over 4f out, chased winner over 3f out, one pace and readily held final furlong
held up and always behind, no chance final 3f, tailed off
made all, in command when ran green 2f out, kept on well final furlong
close up, pushed along halfway, well outpaced final 5f, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace final 3f
chased winner to over 3f out, soon outpaced and beaten
held up in last pair, pushed along 6f out, soon well outpaced, tailed off
In an interesting bumper, we will side with Darkness ahead of Butler's Cabin, Definite Approach and Noble Action. Looking at what we see as the principals. From the Jonjo O'Neill stable, the unraced Butler's Cabin must be granted all due respect. Darkness ran a blinder to be third to Spirit Of New York at Newbury on his sole bumper run to date. That rates as good form. Definite Approach did likewise at Punchestown when fourth but he has a 408-day absence to overcome. Paul Nicholls' winning pointer Noble Action has also to be granted great respect, and he is one to look out for in a race where the betting could provide some big clues. Without that, though, and maybe with it too, we are happy to side with Darkness.
