mounted on track, taken to post early, fly jumped start, led after 1f, hung right on bends, ridden and headed over 2f out, still close up, struck by rivals whip over 1f out, rallied to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in touch, improved to chase leader 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, behind final 2f
led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Joint bottom weight ROBBY BOBBY can land this competitive handicap, but Australia Day and Mafeking should also come into calculations. The selection carries a six pounds penalty for winning at Southwell last week, in what was his fibresand debut. He'd previously not shown a great deal on polytrack, but having come back impressively from a lengthy break following a training accident, a quick re-appearance on this surface can be seen as sensible before his rating goes up. We last saw Australia Day hurdling in October, and this is only his second attempt at the all-weather. You're never quite sure what you're going to get, but he's expected to be well supported. Mafeking looks to be the best of the rest, without being a world beater himself. Cupid's Glory is the only course and distance winner in the field, and that was off a similar mark back in the autumn. We fancy the chances though of Robby Bobby.
Australia Day (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-2) Led, strongly pressed from 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied gamely near finish, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Amanjena (8-7) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-90 (3) gf in Sept.
Baylini 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Internationaldebut (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Millville (10-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Mafeking (UAE) 7-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Suits Me (9-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Cupid's Glory 13-2 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no progress, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 21l behind Paktolos (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Robby Bobby 2-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 6f out, remained close up, hung left and led again over 1f out, soon clear, eased inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs beating Davenport (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
