tracked leading pair, ridden to challenge 3 out, led before next, hard pressed last, headed narrowly flat, kept on until no extra near finish
led, headed after 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to challenge last, rallied to lead again narrowly flat, held on near finish
tracked leaders on inside, challenged 3 out, soon led narrowly, ridden and headed before next, 2 lengths down in 3rd when not fluent last, no extra flat
raced keenly, held up in rear, headway on outside 4 out, challenged next, soon ridden, outpaced when switched left approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair flat, no impression
held up in 5th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up
held up behind in touch, outpaced 4 out, 6th when mistake next, soon weakened
held up behind in touch, hit 4th, struggling next, soon lost touch, tailed off 4 out
with winner, mistake 4 out, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Tricky Tree got off the mark over a slightly longer trip at Huntingdon last time and his stable continues in good form. The five-year-old makes more appeal under a penalty than Towcester winner Upthemsteps, who dropped away tamely when only fifth at Chepstow on his latest start. Bardolf makes his debut over timber and may need the experience while Saint Denis may also need more time. Points winner Opera Og will probably do better when tackling fences so this looks a good opportunity for BASFORD BOB to open his account. He's come up against decent novices in Bear's Affair and King Of The Night on his last two starts and doesn't look to be facing anything of that quality today.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Always prominent, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Chilli Rose (11-9) by 10l, 14 ran.
Upthemsteps (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 15, 28l behind Listenlook (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft.
Bardolf (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, stayed on to 4th over 1f out, 4th of 14, 22l behind Glitzy D'ocala (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Basford Bob (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind King Of The Night (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gd in Jan.
Opera Og (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 10, 26l behind Maxdelas (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Saint Denis (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd and before 7th, dived at next, led 3 out until mistake and headed 2 out, soon driven and weakened well before next, tailed off, 5th of 12, 33l behind Carpincho (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
The Merry Giant (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up in 5th, blundered and rear from 5th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Al Ferof (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Well Refreshed 66-1 (11-4) Soon steadied towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 50l behind Highland Valley (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
