chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up, blundered 11th, soon outpaced, 4th and no chance when blundered 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 12th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out
held up, mistake 7th, outpaced 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, reminders 8th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, close up 8th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, no impression
tracked leader, led 5th, headed after 4 out, weakened 2 out
led to 5th, tracked leader until slipped and fell 12th
Bob Bites Back could be a risky proposition at a short price but we will side with him here to get the better of Nobel and Snake Rave. The selection unseated his rider last time at Chepstow and he had previously swerved violently at Stratford which cost him his chance. There are obvious concerns about his attitude but he does not lack for ability and if he puts in a clear round he will be very difficult to beat. Nobel is making his chasing debut and he could be well treated on the back of some very respectable efforts over hurdles. He will be the one to profit if our selection shows temperament and fails to go through with his effort. Snake Rave shaped quite well on his chasing debut at Wetherby last time, although it would be a slight concern that he hung badly left when he came under pressure. However, this race is all about Bob Bites Back and if he is in the mood he will be very difficult to beat.
Erte 16-1 (11-12) Went prom 11; wknd 15; t.o & pulled up in race won by Alfie Twofourtwo (12-5) at Duncombe Park 3m ptp gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Exit Fast (USA) 10-1 (11-7) Prsd ldrs; cl 5th 13; outpcd aft nxt, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Denby (12-0) at Welbeck 2m 5f ptp gf in Mar '06.
Nobel (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Went left 1st, mid-division, headway 10th, effort after 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 11, 21l behind Present Glory (10-4) at Ascot 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Robin De La Garde (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 7th, 13th of 16, well behind Jades Double (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Simply da Best (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always behind, 8th of 11, 23l behind Parisienne Gale (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Aug '05.
Bob Bites Back (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up when unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Blu Teen (11-3) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gd, 6 ran.
No Commission (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Behind, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Echo Point (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Snake Rave (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) In touch, effort when mistake 4 out, soon ridden, 3rd and no impression when hit last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Mr Twins (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
