mid-division, headway 5th, lead, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind and struggling from 4th
prominent, lost place after 4 out
held up mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed after last, no extra
tracked leaders, close order 5th, weakened after 4 out
held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from 2 out
led to 5th, soon lost place
in rear, pulled up after 3rd
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led after last, kept on well
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, pushed along and lost place approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up, headway 5th, led 3 out, headed approaching last, one pace
CUNNING CLARETS is the selection but Donny Briggs and Birch Hill Bedouin are worthy of inclusion upon any shortlist. The selection brings to the table a fifth in the Aintree bumper and with form on a softer surface prior to that effort, he will be short odds to get off the mark today. Tim Easterby was among the winners yesterday and Donny Briggs is proven on the surface. Sue Smith rarely has bumper winners so Birch Hill Bedouin could be useful. Lightening Rod has shown glimpses of ability but was a big disappointment at Bangor last week. Jack The Gent faced strong opposition in his last two bumpers though his run behind Benbane Head is starting to read well. Another Dark Rum faced a difficult task in a particularly hot Catterick novice and at longer odds, the son of Beat All has place claims at this grade. Kosta Brava is a full brother to Tanikos though has yet to show any of that level of ability. This is not the strongest of races but the fact that connections went to Aintree with Cunning Clarets suggests that he is held in regard and we seek not to oppose.
Another Dark Rum 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 27l behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Beamazed 40-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, not fluent 5th, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 25l behind The Knoxs (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Birch Hill Bedouin 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Magnushomesdotcom (10-11) by 1l, 15 ran.
Boyoboy (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4th, 7th of 11, 33l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Cunning Clarets (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up on outer, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, kept on from over 1f out, 5th of 19, 11l behind Sitting Tennant (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Donny Briggs 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon struggling, behind from 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Frankie Anson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Led, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 22l behind Witherspoon (10-13) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Kosta Brava (FR) 20-1 (10-12) With leader, weakened approaching 1 out, 8th of 12, 18l behind Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Landofgreenginger 66-1 (10-12) Held up, lost place 5th, soon behind, 5th of 8, 43l behind Charlie Tipple (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Lightening Rod 7-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 41l behind Thumbs Up (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Not Talking (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Fortysecond Street (11-6) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Strawgate (FR) Roakarad gelding out of Volcania.
Waldo Winchester (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, outpaced 5th, kept on from last, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Flash Harriet 6-1 (10-5) Close up, challenged 6th until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, 38l behind Persian Gates (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Alfie Bet 100-1 (10-9) Held up in 4th, went 3rd approaching 5th until mistake next, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 42l behind Bruslini (10-12) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Papa Drew (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, lost place from 5th, 8th of 11, 42l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
