always well off the pace in last pair, never involved
held up in 6th and well off the pace, went 3rd 5f out until entering straight, plugged on one pace final 2f, never in race
chased (clear) winner and clear of rest, 100 yards behind halfway, trying to close when lost 2nd 2f out, one pace
held up in 4th and well off the pace, went 3rd entering straight, went 2nd 2f out, closed final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in 9th and well off the pace, never in race
took keen hold, disputing 4th and well off the pace, one pace final 2f, hung left final furlong
took keen hold, held up in 3rd and off the pace, pushed along over 6f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
made all and soon clear, 100 yards ahead halfway, reduced lead 2f out, kept on well final furlong, unchallenged
held up in 8th and well off the pace, plugged on final 2f, never in race
took keen hold, held up in 7th and well off the pace, never in race, tailed off
This looks a hot bumper as there are four previous winners entered and many of the big NH yards have runners. Doctor Harper was due to run at Sandown yesterday, however, so Tom Scudamore is down to ride unraced stable companion Stroke Of Genius. Jockey bookings suggest the four-year-old Money For Nothing is the pick of Alan King's pair while Carlton Jack has to go on the short-list having won on his debut at Catterick. He possibly has more scope than Broughtons Star, Orchard Boy and the disappointing Henryville. Neither Beat That nor Black Cow have a particularly attractive pedigree but UN BLEU A L'AAM has and might be worth an interest here. His sire Shaanmer has had a number of big-race winners over jumps in France.
Broughtons Star 14-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not much room briefly when closing 5f out, went 2nd 2f out, no impression and lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 15, 14l behind Cabaret Girl (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Carlton Jack 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec beating Maison De Ville (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Orchard Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In touch, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 2m Maiden Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AW) (5) std in Jan beating Carole's Destrier (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Beat That (IRE) Milan gelding out of Knotted Midge.
Black Cow (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Back Market Lass.
Henryville 6-4fav (11-0) Led, ridden 2f out, hung left 1f out, soon headed, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Warden Hill (11-0) at Kempton 2m Maiden Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec.
Stroke Of Genius (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Boopsey.
Such A Legend 9-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out until over 3f out, soon outpaced in 3rd, no extra in 4th in closing stages, 4th of 11, 18l behind Doctor Harper (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nat hunt flat (5) sft in Dec.
Un Bleu A L'aam (FR) Shaanmer gelding out of Bleu Perle.
Dougalstar (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Lurcher (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f 4yo n h flat (6) std in Jan.
Money For Nothing Kayf Tara gelding out of Top Of The Dee.
Doctor Harper (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Disputed lead, led 5f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nat hunt flat (5) sft in Dec beating August Hill (11-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Fine Words Alflora gelding out of Gospel.
