tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
held up, pushed along over 4f out, never a factor
mid-division, pushed along and lost ground over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, rallied final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
This should not take a great deal of winning and Bobby Charles is taken to follow up his recent Folkestone success and score at the main expense of Pont Neuf and Saffron Fox. The selection had been running well on the all-weather prior to a winning return to turf at Folkestone over 1m2f when staying on strongly to beat the front-running Del Mar Sunset by three lengths, giving the strong impression that there would be even more to come over today's longer trip. The son of Polish Precedent tackles 1m4f for the first time here and there is no reason to suggest that he will not appreciate the longer distance. Neckar Valley has shown little over hurdles and again disappointed back on the flat at Pontefract so is probably best watched; comments that also apply to Manhattan Jack. Swell Lad represents the Paul Cole stable that is struggling to find winners at present and of more interest may be recent Folkestone scorer Pont Neuf, although he is more exposed than the selection. Saffron Fox is gradually dropping to a fair mark and cannot be discounted but Bobby Charles has an obvious chance and he gets the vote.
Neckar Valley (IRE) 16-1 Pulled hard, tracked leaders until lost place over 4f out, 5th of 10, 17l behind Tight Squeeze at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp gs in Mar.
Bobby Charles 2-1fav Held up in touch, tracked leading pair 6f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, in command thereafter, won at Folkestone 1m 2f stk sft beating Del Mar Sunset by 3l, 8 ran.
Pont Neuf (IRE) 5-1 Held up, steady headway from 3f out, hard ridden to lead well over 1f out, hard pressed final furlong, all out, won at Folkestone 1m 4f fll hcp sft in Mar beating Saraba by a hd, 10 ran.
Saffron Fox 22-1 Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some late progress, 8th of 17, 10l behind Compton Drake at Warwick 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar.
Swell Lad 14-1 Soon led at good pace, ridden and headed over 3f out, beaten when hung left over 2f out, weakened rapidly, last of 13, 27l behind Come On Jonny at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) sft in Oct.
Manhattan Jack 12-1 Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 9l behind Lets Roll at Redcar 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (D) sft in Jul.
