mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
with leader, ridden to challenged before last, every chance run-in, just held
always towards rear
mid-division, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed before and hit last, one pace
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, headway next, led before last, just held on
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last
led and jumped mostly right, headed before and hit 2 out, soon weakened
Harry Cobden is a good jockey booking for recent course and distance winner Stepover but softer going is a major concern for Alex Hales’ six-year-old. Fifty Bob makes his handicap debut at a lowly level and should have more to offer. Gambol needs to sort out his jumping but has won here on the Flat and Bring Back Charlie would also have a squeak. It’s a while since GLOBAL THRILL produced his best form but he’s tumbled down the weights and this is undoubtedly his easiest task in the last two years. With the ground in his favour, Bernard Llewellyn’s raider warrants a speculative vote.
Baraboy (IRE) 8-1 (12-6) In rear and in touch, mistake 4th, weakened from 6th, last of 5, dist behind Casual Cavalier (12-6) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 5th, clear after next until after 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 28 3/4l behind G'day Aussie (10-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Fifty Bob (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling 4 out, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 24 1/2l behind Multiculture (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Gambol (FR) 10-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, headway and hung badly left from over 1f out, switched right well inside final furlong, plugged on, 6th of 11, 4l behind Sebastian's Wish (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Stepover 2-1fav (11-8) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan beating Calarules (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Global Thrill 18-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, some headway after 4 out, weakened after next, eased, 10th of 15, 30l behind Matchaway (11-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Episode 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with easy winner, hit last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 13 3/4l behind Ask Paddy (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Bring Back Charlie 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, not much room 4th, headway 2 out, no chance with leaders, went remote 4th before last, 4th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Way Of The World (11-11) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Actiondancer (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.