tracked leaders, took closer order 7th, lost place from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
held up, headway approaching 12th, soon chasing leaders, weakened between last 2
led to 3rd, chased leaders, lost place approaching 11th, tailed off
prominent, weakened after 11th, pulled up before 15th
tracked leaders, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed 10th, soon weakened
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 5f out, weakened 2 out
held up, unseated rider 10th
held up, chased leaders approcahing 8th, led 10th, headed 5 out, every chance approaching last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, hit 4th pushed along approaching 10th, lost place, headaway approaching 14th, led next, stayed on well from last
BOB BOB BOBBIN can take this race at the principal expense of Lacdoudal and Best Actor. Any overnight rain will be a big help to Colin Tizzard's charge as he is a resolute galloper. He was far from disgraced in the Golden Miller at Cheltenham and for that reason, we are prepared to forgive a below par effort subsequently as it may have come too soon. With the trainer sending out winners earlier in the week, we take our chance at a price. Lacdoudal finished third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. He has never won at this time of the year; and with three-and-a-half years since he actually did so, we reluctantly oppose. Warren Greatrex needs a big winner to get his career started and Best Actor attempts to provide more than just a supporting role. There will be few horses that have ever attracted a 20lb rise up the weights for a victory at Southwell. Simon has had his moments though there has been little of note in recent times. Kilbeggan Blade has gone well fresh so the market is watched accordingly. Fundamentalist won this race last year with Aleron behind. His season seemed to taper off alarmingly from thereon in. Having considered the alternatives, Bob Bob Bobbin is selected.
Best Actor (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 5th, led again 11th, clear from 3 out, ran on well, won at Southwell 3m nov stks (3) gs in Feb beating West End Rocker (10-12) by 18l, 6 ran.
Lacdoudal (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Hennessy (10-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Kilbeggan Blade 16-1 (11-2) With leader until 14th, gradually lost place from 16th, 6th of 14, 24l behind Hennessy (10-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Simon 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, hit 12th, weakened and pulled up next, in a race won by Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 21 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, 11th of 17, 48l behind Russian Around (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Laskari (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Not fluent 5th, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hennessy (10-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place when not fluent 5th, not fluent 9th, in touch again after next, beaten before 3 out, 7th of 16, 11l behind Nostringsattached (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Bob Bob Bobbin 13-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 12th, led 15th, headed approaching 4 out, close 2nd when blundered badly 3 out, not recover, 4th of 12, 28l behind Aleron (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Lysander (GER) 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, not fluent 13th, went narrow 2nd 4 out until ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on well towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Tempsford (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
