in touch, lost place after 7th, effort after 14th, held from 4 out
tracked leader, led after 3rd, jumped left 5th, not fluent and headed after 10th, led again 11th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 11th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
led, headed after 3rd, led again after 10th, headed next, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened 12th, pulled up and dismounted 13th
held up, ridden and headway 14th, stayed on under pressure to lead line
in touch, ridden 4 out, one pace and held from 2 out
held up, mistake 9th, headway 14th, led 4 out, all out and headed line
tracked leaders, lost place 11th, lost touch next
NEWBAY BOB shaped last time as if in need of this return to three miles and Nick Mitchell's gelding is nominated ahead of Dancer Life, Lord Of Illusion and Mr Ed who make up a lengthy shortlist. As is normally the case there is no great prize money on offer, but this looks a better contest than many we have witnessed recently. The selection has been in good form in recent point-to-points and went down fighting just 12 days ago at Wincanton in a similar race to this. This ex-Irish trained gelding is winless in 16 under rules but that elusive first success should not be far away. Mr Ed was contesting some decent races when seen last June, and he has ten wins to his name. If he is able to run up to his official rating then he will probably win, but his absence would be a slight concern. Lord Of Illusion has been in good form between the flags recently and his second last time at Taunton to Back Nine rates as a solid effort in the context of this race. Sudden Arrival was last seen in a decent Hunter Chase race at Cheltenham but he looked outpaced there and he may get going too late today, whilst Shillingstone's recent second at Folkestone was a good effort in defeat and as a seven-year-old he has a different profile to a lot of the older brigade. Dancer Life's second to Ofarel D'Airy at Fontwell certainly marks him out as a major contender, especially with a return to this more conventional track likely to suit this course winner. The market may point towards any further clues; however it is Newbay Bob who is nominated.
Dancer Life (POL) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 8th to track winner, ridden after 4 out, kept on for clear 2nd, always held, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Ofarel D'airy (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Dutch Bill 16-1 (12-0) Hdwy 14; fell in race won by Rockwithacaveman (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft, 11 ran.
Gone Missing 10-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd 15, 4th of 7, 34l behind Southwestern (12-7) at Bishops Court 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Long Night 6-4fav (12-4) A.p; went 2nd 14; stayed on frm 2 out; nt rch wnr, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Trade Off (12-7) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) With winner, ridden when lost 2nd and hit 4 out, left 5 lengths 2nd next, plugged on, closed on tired winner from last, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Back Nine (12-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Mr Ed (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, chasing leaders by 8th, ridden after 15th, outpaced after 5 out, tried to rally after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 44l behind Surface To Air (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
Newbay Bob 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 8th, led 12th, headed next, hard ridden and rallied close home, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Who Else Knew (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) sft.
Shillingstone 15-2 (11-7) Raced in 3rd, chased winner from 8th, kept on towards finish, always readily held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dante's Storm (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Sudden Arrival 8-13fav (12-0) (cp) w wnr to 11; one-pcd, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Virginia Preuil (12-7) at Dunthrop 3m ptp gd.
