held up, ridden after 14th, headway approaching 4 out, never on terms
in touch, chased winner after 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
held up in rear, blundered 1st, not fluent 10th, headway next, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, losing touch when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
soon prominent, hit 9th, mistake 11th, soon struggling, mistake 13th, tailed up when pulled up before 4 out
held up, ridden after 14th, effort approaching 4 out, never dangerous
prominent, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, led 4th until after 5th, ridden and weakened after 14th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 16th, no chance from 13th, mistake 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led to 4th, led again after 5th, driven out flat
This is probably not the best betting medium of the day but Bunkum has at least negotiated a clear passage over fences and is selected over Naunton Brook and Torche, who appeal the most out of the remainder. That said, Jack Pot II showed a game attitude in defeat last time - leaving the impression that his new trainer has plenty of horse to work with for the coming season. It is also a little early to be giving up on Naunton Brook, who got no further than the first fence on his chasing debut. He stayed this sort of trip well over hurdles and his supporters can rest assured that Nigel Twiston-Davies will not be returning him to the action so quickly if he were not confident of a much better performance. Torche has form that ties in with the Twiston-Davies horse and he too should not be inconvenience by the trip. However, the visor that prompted some improved efforts over timber has been dispensed with and he may be one to watch first time over fences. Therefore, the vote goes to Bunkum, who won a beginners chase on the bridle when he was last seen out. His trainer, Richard Lee, has waited for a little ease in the ground before sending him out again so, with conditions set to be ideal for him, Bunkum can get one over on the rest, as he at least knows something about what it takes to negotiate a clear round of jumping.
