held up, headway over 4f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
led and soon clear, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
held up mid-division, pushed along before halfway, soon struggling
tracked leader, weakened halfway
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, pushed along before halfway, soon struggling
held up mid-division, ridden before halfway, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenged over 4f out, led well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong
Basford Bob did not look entirely straightforward when scoring at Uttoxeter last time and is taken on under a penalty with HABBIE SIMPSON preferred, and Carrick Castle among others considered. The last-named has the champion up and is related to fairly useful chaser Dead-Eyed Dick. Today's trip will be way short of what he will eventually stay, and while we respect him he may be tapped for toe. Basford Bob will handle conditions and will not be found wanting for fitness, and if he behaves then he has a decent chance of going close under an extra 7lbs. Spring Moon is quite nicely-related and has the benefit of a run. If there is money for him then we should probably take note. Skipper Robin represents a stable that does well in this sphere, and he is related to winners on the level in France. He is another over who we would we well advised to check the betting for clues given the stable's recent upturn in fortunes. The selection, however, is Habbie Simpson. Alan King's bumper record is right up there with the best of them, and this five-year-old gelding put in a pleasing debut when making the frame here in December. He will have learned plenty that day, and with almost certain improvement to come and slower ground unlikely to be a problem, we will side with him.
Basford Bob (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led going well over 2f out, in command when swerved badly left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov beating Spot The Ball (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Carrick Castle (IRE) Synefos gelding out of Carrickaduff Bay.
Elmet Boy Elmaamul gelding out of Suffolk Girl.
Fulofanoyance Rainbow High gelding out of More To Life.
Habbie Simpson 14-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders over 3f out, stayed on over 1f out, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Double Expresso (11-7) at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gd in Dec.
Northwold 33-1 (11-0) Led after 2f, hung right and headed on bend 4f out, outpaced 3f out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Laureldean River (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
Roman Landing 100-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, weakened over 6f out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
Spring Moon (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Very green and soon tailed off in rear, latched on to rear of field halfway, kept on well into 4th over 1f out, better for experience, 4th of 10, well behind Ramses De Marcigny (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Watoscar (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Arabella Supreme.
Fidelor (FR) Sagacity gelding out of Fille Fidele.
Laveroque (FR) Laveron gelding out of Six Fois Sept.
Skipper Robin (FR) Loup Solitaire gelding out of L'oceane.
Goodrunforyermoney Tamayaz gelding out of Habibi.
