tracked leader, led 4th, mistake next, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, tracked leaders, landed a bit steeply 1st, went 2nd 3 out, led next, clear last, impressive
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, soon weakened
held up, not fluent 1st, mistake and saddle slipped 5th, soon pulled up
held up, headway to chase leaders when mistake 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden 3 out, mistake next, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace
led until 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
Improvisation showed abundant promise for Godolphin in three quality maidens but has been absent since April 2013. The fact that he's being persevered with is significant and the market will probably prove the best indicator of stable expectations on this belated return. He faces a tough enough task though against three previous winners in what rates a decent novice hurdle for the time of year. Tawelya receives a healthy sex allowance but has much more to do than when winning on her Worcester debut, whilst Buy Back Bob was never in danger when a smooth Wincanton scorer latest. However, REGULATION was equally impressive when coasting home at Market Rasen this month and far from disgraced when a commendable second in a competitive Class 3 handicap at Warwick subsequently. Returned to novice company, he's taken to regain the winning thread.
Buy Back Bob (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Made virtually all, quickened clear flat, readily, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Proofreader (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Improvisation (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, comfortable, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr '13 beating Space Ship (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran (flat).
Bishop Of Ruscombe 6-1 (9-2) Held up in last pair, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind King Calypso (8-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct (flat).
Dj Gerry 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Devilment (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Royal Battalion 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 31l behind Rock N Rhythm (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Taweyla (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Prominent, jumped right 5th, led and jumped right thereafter, edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs beating Pandorica (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Sturdy Dawn 100-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, chased leading pair until 6th, soon driven along and outpaced, weakened and dropped to last before 3 out where blundered, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Set The Trend (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Regulation (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 4th, challenged after 3 out, led and bumped after next, mistake and headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind War Singer (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
