mid-division, outpaced over over 5f out, headway inisde final 2f, hung left inisde final furlong, kept on well, nearest finish
raced keenly, mid-division, weakened over 5f out
in rear, stumbled halfway, effort over 4f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, hung left inisde final furlong, no impression
mid-division, headway 6f out, chased winner over 2f out, soon edged left, one pace approaching final furlong
raced keenly, tracked leaders, stayed on same pace final 2f
led, ridden, headed 3f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 5f out, one pace, no impression on leaders final 3f
prominent, driven along 7f out, outpaced and lost place 6f out, stayed on well from 2f out, nearest finish
held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, led 3f out, edged left 2f out, and again inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leader until 3f out, stayed on same pace
pulled hard, soon in touch, struggling over 2f out
prominent, one pace 3f out, soon no impression
held up, headway over 5f out, lost place over 2f out
raced keenly, held up and behind, headway 4f out, no impression
The three to note in the finale are Lordy, Northern Lad and Important Business with the vote going to the last named. The selection was second on his only run to date at Wincanton and in the process showed enough ability to suggest that he can win a race like this. Lordy is worth noting in the betting market as his stable are always a threat in bumper races while Northern Lad comes from a yard in form and he ran with great credit when third to Harrowman on his debut at Haydock and will strip fitter this time around. But for the winner we return to Important Business.
All About Trigger (FR) Double Trigger gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Oulart and bumper Round The Horn.
Celtic Treasure (IRE) Second Empire gelding out of 7f winner Future Treasure.
Court Speeding (IRE) Courtship gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Miniatura.
High Standard (NZ) Cicerao gelding out of For Today.
Important Business (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, carried left by winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-3) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Lordy (NZ) Senor Pete gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Meadow Cottage (IRE) Indian Danehill gelding out of 1m2f winner Lady of The Chase.
Northern Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up and keen, headway and hung left over 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Harrowman (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov '06.
Orchard King (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 17, 3l behind Dan Ryan (12-0) at Sligo Points 3m ire ptp gd in May.
Orion d'Oudairies (FR) Grand Tresor gelding out of Quelinda.
Pettifour (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of an unraced mare.
Phoudamour (FR) (11-7) 2nd of 13, 1l behind Gibbonsgrove (11-7) at Dundrum 3m ire ptp gs in Mar.
Pickamus (FR) April Night gelding out of winning hurdler Duchesse du Cochet.
Shake The Barley (IRE) (11-7) Made most, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Laureldean River (11-7) by 8l, 4 ran.
Silver Bay Silver Patriarch gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers/bumpers Mossy Bay and Samby.
Victorbano (IRE) Scribano gelding out of Augusta Victoria.
Granny Duffy Gildoran mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Popcorn Rosie 10-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, never nearer than mid-division, 12th of 18, 34l behind I'm Delilah (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr.
