held up tracking leading trio, went 3rd after 11th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, challenged next, led approaching 2 out, in command between last 2, comfortably
tracked leader, led before 7th until approaching 10th, led again 14th, joined 3 out, already headed when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace
led, mistake 5th, narrowly headed before 7th, led again before 10th, headed 14th, lost 2nd approaching next where not fluent, soon one pace and no chance with leading duo
tracked leading pair until after 11th, mistake and outpaced 13th, soon tailed off and no chance after
Viva Steve was quietly fancied on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter but never figured. A winning hurdler, he'll know more today but this looks a good opportunity for BEAR'S AFFAIR to open his account over the larger obstacles. He's probably come up against decent novices at Uttoxeter and Fakenham and a repeat of either of those runs should suffice. Kentford Legend won over hurdles at Exeter in May but Dunlough Bay is probably more interesting as he was highly tried over timber on occasions last winter and will have needed his first run over fences at Market Rasen.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 85-40 (11-3) Led, blunder first, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Wonderful Charm (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Dunlough Bay (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leader until hit 9th, soon in rear, no chance after, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Gullinbursti (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f (3) sft.
Kentford Legend 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 6th, some headway into mid-division and reminders after 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Invicta Lake (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Oscar Baby (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden and struggling after 8th, tailed off and eased after 4 out, last of 14, well behind Hopatina (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Oct.
Viva Steve (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Prominent until not fluent 6th, in touch, not fluent 5 out, 4th and outpaced before next, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 19l behind Renard D'Irlande (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
