took keen hold, tracked leader 2nd, went left 15th, dropped to 4th when hit 18th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, no chance from next
held up last, good headway 15th to lead next, pressed 2 out, joined when not fluent and headed last, no extra and held flat
led, headed 16th, chased leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, chance 3 out, no impression on front pair after next
tracked leading trio, headway to 2nd 16th, challenged 2 out, upsides when better jump to lead last, in command flat
jumped left at some fences, tracked leader until 2nd, settled in 4th, beaten before 3 out
Nonrunner
It's possible to pick holes in the form of everything in this handicap chase, including our pick MASTER COBBLER, with Brenin Cwmtudu a potential danger. Noble Billy will be popular with punters after scoring over a marathon trip at Folkestone last time out, for which he carries a 7lb penalty. He is clearly in good heart, but all of his wins have been when there has been cut in the ground and he is taken on today on this faster surface. Wizard Of Edge likes it here, having racked-up four wins, including two over trips only slightly shorter than this. Apart from being another who prefers softer ground, he may also be found wanting from his current mark. Brenin Cwmtudu has to put a couple of dismal efforts behind him, but otherwise he acts at this track, stays well enough and goes on a sound surface and a market check is advised given connections. Quiet Bob is unexposed over fences and with the yard going well he could go close. Even so, we will side with Master Cobbler. The eight-year-old acts in these conditions, and sees out two miles on the Flat, so he may be able to show more now stepped up to this trip over fences for the first time. He travels well enough in his races without finding huge amounts, but we hope that over this trip that turn of foot won't be so vital and he gets the vote.
Brenin Cwmtudu 20-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in touch, steadied before 5th, in touch again 12th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, clambered over 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Buffalo Bob (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Noble Bily (FR) 11-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, progress on inner 15th, led after 3 out, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy beating Knighton Combe (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Wizard of Edge 4-1 (10-9) Towards rear, tailed off from 13th, left remote 4th 3 out, 4th of 8, well behind Midnight Haze (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Mid-division, jumped left 5th, hit 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 15, 22l behind Whitewater Dash (11-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Settled in mid-division, driven 8th, headway under pressure 10th, stayed on approaching 2nd last, never on terms, 4th of 14, 17l behind Quel Bruere (11-12) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Opus Cafe (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, hit 5th, led 11th until 13th, weakened and blundered next, left poor 2nd and slightly hampered 2 out, tailed off, 2nd of 5, 34l behind Portrait Royale (9-9) at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo Am hcp 0-115 (4) hvy.
Quiet Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up, towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 7th, ridden 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Caspar Of Tarsus (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
