made all, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, weakened over 4f out
in touch, weakened over 4f out
chased leaders, weakened 5f out
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, stayed on well final 2f
held up, pushed along halfway, tailed off over 3f
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
always towards rear, tailed off from halfway
held up, weakened 3f out
in touch, headway over 4f out, chased winner final furlong, stayed on
held up, headway halfway, weakened over 4f out
with winner, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, headway approaching 6f out, weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on from over 2f out, no impression
As is often the case in bumpers, there is little for backers to go on and what can only be a tentative vote goes to recent Stratford winner LITTLE JOSH, who is taken to defy the penalty for that success and he gets the vote over Sundae Best and Calm Seas. The last mentioned showed gradual improvement last season before winning at Wetherby and the four-year-old has to be considered on his first start this term. Michael Scudamore's Stowford Press made a pleasing debut at Newton Abbot in August and has to be considered, while Dom McCain's Finlay could be of interest on his debut but will probably be seen to better effect over longer when sent hurdling and chasing. Howard Johnson's Sundae Best is likely to have more speed and he rates the pick of the newcomers but Little Josh sets a decent standard judged by his debut success and he is taken to win again.
Little Josh (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Chased leader, led 9f out, stayed on well and drew clear inside final furlong comfortably, won at Stratford 2m nhf (5) sft in Sept beating Britannicus (10-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
Ashtonmore 5-2 (11-12) fell in race won by Oh So Perky (11-12) at Alnwick 2m 4f ptp gd in Mar, 7 ran.
Bawnafaugh (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 8th 5f out, lost place and weakened from under 4f out, 21st of 22, 44l behind New Phase (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nhf gf in May.
Bridging Loan 28-1 (10-9) Held up, pulled hard, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 37l behind Cloudy Times (10-11) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Bygones of Brid (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Calm Seas (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in Mar beating Hollins (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Finlay Parthian Springs gelding out of Grey Scally.
Flapjack Crumbly Beat All gelding out of Megabucks.
Isla Pearl Fisher 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Copper Sound (10-4) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy in Apr.
Lord Fontaine (IRE) Lord Americo gelding out of Fontaine Jewel.
Paddys Honour (IRE) City Honours gelding out of an unraced mare.
Sundae Best (IRE) Oscar gelding, half-brother to flat and hurdles winner Native Stag.
The Portonion (IRE) 13-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 15l behind Its Tough (11-0) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Tipsy Indian Commanche Run gelding out of winning chaser Dubelle.
Stowford Press (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway 5f out, stayed on well final 2f, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Royal Scoundrel (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Aug.
