held up in last pair, smooth headway to track leader when mistake 4 out, hit next, joined leader and going strongly when brought down 2 out
held up in last pair, headway to join leaders 11th, led 13th, ridden and joined when fell 2 out
tended to jump right, led until blundered and headed 11th, stayed well there until dropped to rear and hit 14th, rallied under pressure in 4th when hampered and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leader, hit 5th, led 11th until 13th, weakened and blundered next, left poor 2nd and slightly hampered 2 out, tailed off
tracked leading pair, joined leaders 11th, mistake next, ridden in 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon struggling, left well clear and hampered 2 out
A poor contest where NEWBAY BOB is given the nod to get the better of Portrait Royale and Its A Classic. The selection is no more than tentative, having scored just once in 25 attempts, although that was last time out at the testing Exeter circuit, over three miles and on soft ground. He is proven over further than today's trip and generally holding his form as well as he has ever done at the moment, so with a 5lbs rise we will side with him. Its A Classic has been well-placed to win three of his last six, one of which was over course and distance on heavy ground. He is now 21lbs higher than he was when recording that success, as recently as November, and it will be very tough for him to win from today's mark with his big racing weight to lump around. Portrait Royale acts on soft ground, though her form on heavy is not as good. She stays 3m 1f, though she has had a miserable time of it here in the past and can be taken on again today. Opus Cafe stays this far but looks to be in the grip of the handicapper after a Sedgefield win two starts ago, while Pass Me A Dime hails from a yard going well but is not convincing as a stayer. Newbay Bob is given the vote.
Its A Classic 3-1fav (12-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Shaking Hands (11-3) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
Pass Me A Dime 16-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 5th until after next, weakened after 9th, 4th of 9, 27l behind Montgermont (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Newbay Bob 11-4fav (10-9) Made virtually all, kept narrow advantage when pressed from 11th, left with advantage 3 out, tired jumping last, rider dropped whip flat, pushed along, kept on well, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Son Histoire (11-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Opus Cafe (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 9th, tailed off, last of 9, 43l behind Sona Sasta (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, steady headway approaching 14th, chased winner 4 out, challenging from next, chance when hit last, kept on flat always held, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Fine Parchment (11-2) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
