tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
made all, clear before 3 out, kept on well
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, one pace
in touch in 4th, headway before 3 out, soon chased winner, kept on well from last
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened last
always towards rear
towards rear, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased winner, pushed along 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
always behind, tailed off 4 out
THEATRICAL STYLE won both his bumpers on good ground in 2013 and 2014 and seems to be steadily returning to some form after an enforced absence. He should be involved at the business end and is the choice in the absence of any outstanding opponent but he does have limitations and cannot be a strong recommendation. Ascot De Bruyere is quite interesting on his first run for the Ewart team as he had some fair form over both hurdles and fences in France and could be a useful recruit but the concern is that all his runs have come on soft and/or heavy ground. Irish Raider Dubai Devils has bits and pieces of form in Irish bumpers and points, whilst Sweet Holly and Final Fling are the potential improvers.
Ange Des Malberaux (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, effort over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Dante's Way (11-2) at Kelso 2m (5) gs in May.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) (10-10) 8th of 11, 19 1/2l behind As D'estruval (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Oct.
Benjamin Tree (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Prominent, pushed along and lost place over 4f out, last of 6, dist behind Storm Forecast (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov.
Dubai Devils (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 8th approaching straight, one pace, 6th of 10, 23l behind Articulum (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Final Fling (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Lake View Lad (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Mahler Bay (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 35 3/4l behind High Bridge (11-7) at Catterick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Red Piano 80-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division before 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 10, dist behind Bigirononhiship (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Secret Act (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway into mid-division after 3rd, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Theatrical Style (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, weakened before last, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Hollywood All Star (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sweet Holly 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Storming Strumpet (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Jan.
This Thyne Jude 20-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, last of 11, 30 1/2l behind Cadore (11-4) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.