held up, raced keenly, headway 3 out, disputing 6 lengths 4th and weakening when fell 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, soon edged right
led to 2nd, with winner, reminder after 8th, lost 2nd 14th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 12th, reminder after 14th, responded to chase winner next, 2 lengths down when blundered last, stayed on same pace
keen early, led 2nd, hung right after last, driven out
not jump well, chased leaders, rider lost iron briefly 1st, reminder after 7th, chased winner 14th to 15th, weakened last
BallyGalley Bob can win again at the expense of The Ring and Ice Bucket. The selection has been double declared at Chepstow but this looks to be his first preference. He has taken advantage of his low rating when winning back to back races at Lingfield and Towcester but got beaten in a battle against Obaki de Grissay at Exeter last time out. He is now seven pounds higher but still looks well treated and can score another race before the handicapper gets a grip on him. The Ring will pose as the biggest danger as he carries a penalty for winning at Warwick earlier in the month. That will give him a confidence boost so any market moves should be noted. Ice Bucket showed improved form when second to Adare Prince at Kempton last time out. He caught the eye on that occasion and if repeating that performance he would have to be respected. But for the winner we return to BallyGalley Bob.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Never fluent, held up, blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 3-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden approaching 10th, no impression from 4 out, 5th of 8, 25l behind Kenzo III (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Rare Society (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, reminders 7th, effort 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 8th of 11, 23l behind Reel Charmer (11-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
BallyGalley Bob (IRE) 4-1fav (10-1) Held up, headway approaching 14th, mistake 4 out, ridden when blundered badly 3 out, every chance next, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Obaki de Grissay (10-11) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Always in touch, chased leaders 5 out, led after 4 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace towards finish, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Adare Prince (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Ouragan De Prairie (FR) 85-40fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway to go 3rd after 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Squires Lane (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
The Ring (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In rear, reminders after 4th and 5th, responded to go 2nd 6th, led 14th, mistake 18th, narrowly headed 3 out, led again last, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft beating Croc An Oir (11-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
