in touch, ridden and weakened over 4f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on after
tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, gradually weakened
mid-division, weakened from halfway, lost touch over 6f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on
towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden over 4f out, one pace
towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on
In the finale, the vote goes to Caulkley's Bank, with his biggest dangers possibly proving to be Nonotreally, Nasstar and Duke Of Stardone Although bumper winners do not have a great record in attempting to defy penalties, and he has also not raced yet this season, Caulkley's Banks' form is the best on offer here, particularly his third to Rasharrow at Wetherby last November and, if he is anywhere near tuned up, he should go well. Related to the winner Clouding Over (who will by now have run earlier on the card), Nonotreally has shown enough promise on his Wetherby debut to be given a decent shout in a modest bumper. Nasstar, also trained by Mick Easterby, is related to winners and also showed debut promise and has to be considered, while Duke Of Stardone's fourth to Agent Lois over course and distance last time - when equipped with first-time blinkers - brings him into it, and Timmy Murphy takes the ride. The Flat-bred Domesday could be interesting, but he left Mark Johnston cheaply, and Lockstockandbarrel showed fair form when landing a Market Rasen bumper 603 days ago in a tongue-strap, which remains on today, but has not been seen since. Talking of tongue-straps, Harloes Coffee won a Kilbeggan bumper wearing one but was then sold for only 5,000 guineas out of the yard. However, you cannot rule him out. The others, including Irish raider Winter Star, who is bred to be better than he has so far shown, do not have too much to recommend them which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Caulkley's Bank.
Harloes Coffee (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Always prominent, left 2nd 5f out, led travelling best over 3f out, ridden clear approaching straight, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Kilbeggan 2m nhf gf in Aug beating Rose Of Appeal (11-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Led, headed over 4f out, hard ridden and rallied over 1f out, ran on well to lead near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr '04 beating Kitski (11-8) by a hd, 15 ran.
Domesday (UAE) Cape Cross colt, half-brother to winning miler Chicanery and 6f to 1m2f winner Delude.
Nonotreally 4-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, hung left from 4f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 20l behind Jontys'lass (10-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gf in May.
Rab Cee 66-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off halfway, 11th of 14, well behind Agent Lois (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Nov.
Still Solvent Keen gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Blue Morning.
Winter Star 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, effort over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 18, well behind Snoopy Loopy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr '04.
Flemington House Captain Maverick filly out of Sabica.
Sparky Rocket Overbury filly, half-sister to winning jumpers Buadhach and The Last Viking.
Turbulent Flight Busy Flight filly, half-sister to winning jumper Charango Star.
Caulkleys Bank 5-4fav (11-6) Led until headed over 4f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 4l behind Stagecoach Diamond (11-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gf in Dec '04.
Duke Of Stradone (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway to chase leaders 7f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 14, 5l behind Agent Lois (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Nov.
Nasstar 20-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 37l behind Seymar Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Primitive Cove 100-1 (10-4) In touch, weakened 3f out, 19th of 21, well behind Abragante (10-11) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Sams Lad (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Kince.
