led, edging right when headed over 1f out, swerved badly right entering final furlong, kept on towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out until 3f out, every chance over 2f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders to halfway, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up over 7f out
never going well, always in rear, soon tailed off
behind, pushed along halfway, tailed off when pulled up over 7f out
towards rear, reminders 8f out, lost touch from 6f out, tailed off
close up, tracked leading pair going well over 5f out, went 2nd 3f out, led over 1f out, swerved right entering final furlong, kept on under pressure
chased leaders, pushed along over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
chased leader to over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
With High Gales trying to win this bumper under a penalty we prefer the chances of BENARTIC, after a solid debut, while There's No Panic is an interesting newcomer for Paul Nicholls. Related to an Irish Bumper and Hurdles winner the pick showed a liking for this track and conditions when travelling well in a nice debut to just find the re-opposing High Gales too good. With terms more in the pick's favour this time he should go one better. It's always hard to win bumpers under penalties and that's exactly what High Gales has to do after that last run. He should be prominent but may have to settle for minor honours on theses terms. There's No Panic is bound to attract support as do most Paul Nicholls' runners but being related to a prolific hurdler and a very smart chaser that confidence could be justified this time. It's hard to find much to like about the other runners but do check the market for clues but unless There's No Panic is special then this should go to Benartic.
High Gales (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Made all, ridden over 2f out, drifted right final furlong, kept on well close home, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Benartic (11-4) by 3l, 12 ran.
Benartic (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7f out, went 2nd 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind High Gales (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Joli Al 20-1 (10-13) Always behind, struggling final 4f, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind J'adhere (10-9) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Legendary Romance Midnight Legend gelding out of Dark Romance.
Quick Dancer (FR) Dark Moondancer gelding out of Esperanza Iv.
King's Performance (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 15, 30l behind Knight In Purple (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
There's No Panic (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Out Ranking.
Red Hot Joker 25-1 (11-0) Pu 3, in a race won by Misstree Dancer (11-0) at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp in Mar, 13 ran.
Lucia Popp (IRE) Revoque filly out of Fairy Gale.