made all, mistake 9th (ditch), slow jump 11th, clear from 2 out, comfortable
held up in touch, chased winner from 4 out, effort 3 out, soon held
chased winner, mistake 9th and again 14th, weakening when mistake 2 out, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
Idle Talk, Bob Bob Bobbin and He's The Guv'nor look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the confident vote is given to Bob Bob Bobbin. The selection was the best of these over hurdles and won well over fences last time when beating Squiers Lane. Granted this looks tougher but in receipt of weight from his main rival he looks the one to be on under conditions that suit. Idle Talk rates the main danger as he has won his last two races in good style but this is more competitive and he will need to improve again to give weight and a beating to the selection. He's The Guv'nor is another that could go well as he beat Admiral Peary but that effort leaves him with about 10 pound to find with the principals and he looks worth opposing on that basis. Of the remainder Dancer Life has place claims on his best form but he was let down by his jumping last time and for the winner we return to Bob Bob Bobbin who is taken to win again before going on to better things.
Bob Bob Bobbin 11-10fav (11-5) Led 2nd, headed 9th, led again 12th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft beating Squires Lane (11-5) by 15l, 11 ran.
Dancer Life (POL) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, jumped left 4th, headway after 3 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 10l behind Ede'iff (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
He's The Guv'nor (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) In touch, led approaching 4 out, jumped right from 3 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (E) hvy in Dec beating Admiral Peary (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Chocolate Bombe (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Keen towards rear, ridden, weakening when hampered 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind Bar Gayne (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Idle Talk (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led briefly 8th, led again 4 out, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs beating Reflected Glory (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.