held up in touch in 4th, with leader 11th, chased winner and pecked slightly 3 out, ridden before last, no impression
held up towards rear, fell 3rd
held up towards rear, headway 10th, ridden to go 3rd before last, one pace
always toward rear
tracked leaders, took closer order 8th, led 10th, pushed along after 4 out, clear before 2 out, eased final 100 yards
led from 1st, blundered and headed 10th, weakened from 4 out
led to 1st, took keen hold, weakened from 11th
held up mid-division, blundered 2nd, headway 10th, went 3rd from 2 out until weakened before last
Winning bumper Basford Bob was very consistent over hurdles and landed a novices' contest at Kempton in March. He will have needed his comeback run over fences at Ludlow and should do better over the bigger obstacles. Our Mick has a similar profile though he's managed to complete the course on both starts over fences. He'll be much better suited by this longer trip and looks a threat though FLINTY BAY should take this if managing to get round safely. Nicky Richards' charge won a couple of novice hurdles in the spring before embarking on a chasing career. He was unluckily brought down at Carlisle before a fine run at Aintree and then unseating his rider when in command at Sedgefield. He can gain compensation here with the ex-Irish Gentleman Jeff possibly the best of the remainder.
Alpha One (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, joined leader 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 9, 35l behind Prince Of Denial (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd.
Basford Bob (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Left in lead and mistake 1st, jumped badly right throughout, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Cucumber Run (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd, 7 ran.
Flinty Bay (IRE) 6-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch, with leader before 9th, led 10th, going well when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Going Wrong (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd, 5 ran.
Gentleman Jeff (USA) 20-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, chased leader until approaching 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 16l behind Golden Future (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Our Mick 5-1 (11-2) Led, joined 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Kudu Country (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (4) gs.
Presque Perdre 10-1 (11-5) Close up, led 3rd, blundered next, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 44l behind Kayf Commander (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Still Calm 22-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed before 8th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Danny John Boy (10-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Sunarri (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) In rear, unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Kings Grey (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Brunswick Gold (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Tracked winner until 8th, outpaced 4 out, left remote 3rd 2 out until last, 4th of 8, 44l behind Wyck Hill (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd.
Chester Ridge 14-1 (11-2) Led after 2nd, headed 8th, pushed along and weakened from 5 out, not fluent next, 3rd of 4, well behind Tiptoeaway (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
