in touch, led 3f out, soon ridden, drifted left, under pressure final furlong, headed on line
held up up towards rear, ridden 3f out, ran on from 2f out, challenged final furlong, led on line
held up towards rear, some headway from 2f out, never on terms
held up in mid-division, lost touch halfway, tailed off
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on
prominent, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led for 2f, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
with leader, led after 2f, headed 3f out, weakened final 2f
held up in touch, ridden approaching 4f out, stayed on final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Pearly Star probably has the best form among those to have raced previously but that does not say a great deal and this may go to one of the many interesting newcomers with Rosewater Bay marginally preferred to That's My Charlie and Craven. The last mentioned is bred for the game and represents the yard of Nicky Henderson that has been in such good form of late so he has to be respected. Winter Sport is related to winners but trainer Philip Hobbs rarely has bumper winners first time out so he may be best watched and of more interest may be Andy Turnell's Miller's Monarch, who showed promise on his only start last term. Jonjo O'Neill's That's My Charlie appeals on pedigree and has to be respected, while Earth Moving has given little sign of encouragement so far and the vote instead goes to another Nicholls inmate Rosewater Bay, who is an Alderbrook half-sister to a couple of winners including the useful Blushing Bull. She may be good enough to make a winning debut.
Commander Kev (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of an unraced mare.
Craven (IRE) Accordion gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Gimme Shelter.
Earth Moving (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Keen in mid-division, ran wide to stands' side 5f out, weakening quickly when pulled up in race won by Royal Coburg (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Jazz Junior Romany Rye gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Miller's Monarch 14-1 (11-1) Held up rear, headway over 7f out, ridden 2f out, left in lead inside final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 10, shd behind Jackie Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Sept '04.
So Wise So Young Young Ern gelding, full brother to winning hurdler Amarone.
That's My Charlie (NZ) Magic of Sydney gelding, half-brother to Flat and hurdles winner Tardar.
Thenford Lord (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Keen in mid-division, behind final 5f, 9th of 15, 49l behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Oct.
Willhebemyguy 40-1 (10-13) Behind until pulled up in race won by Fountain Crumble (10-8) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Aug, 17 ran.
Winter Sport (IRE) Oscar gelding, half-brother to bumper winner Perambie.
Loose Morals (IRE) Luso filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Rosewater Bay Alderbrook filly, half-sister to a couple of winning hurdlers including the useful Blushing Bull.
Something Cristal (FR) Baby Turk gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Pearly Star 7-2co-fav (10-11) In touch, ridden and effort 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 23l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
