towards rear and jumped right, headway 6th, weakened 7th and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened 7th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, jumped right 4th, bad mistake 6th, soon beaten and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, ridden 7th, kept on to chase leaders 4 out, ran on strongly to lead last strides
held up and keen, mistake 2nd, well behind when mistake again 9th, pulled up before next
led, headed 1st, led again 2nd, headed, led again 5th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, narrow leader last, all out when headed last strides
held up mid-division, reminders 6th, ridden and jumped right 8th, staying on and 3 lengths down when fell 2 out
in touch, bumped after 8th, jumped right 4 out, narrow leader 2 out, headed when bad mistake last and not recover
tracked leaders, jumped right throughout, ridden 4 out, weakened when mistake 3 out
towards rear, bad mistake 4th, never a factor
in rear when mistake 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, led 1st, headed 2nd, led 3rd, headed 5th, ridden when pecked 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 8th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is competitive and we will shortlist Alcatras, Bobsbest, Billy Ballbreaker and Murat and side with Bobsbest. He stays well and he battles well, he has won here and, despite being nine pounds above the mark he won from on his latest start, we will take a chance on Bobsbest being able to do it again from his higher mark. Alcatras remains in good heart and, coming into this race on the back of a very good course and distance effort, when out of the handicap, he ought to be competitive again. From the Martin Pipe yard, Murat attracted money last time but came a cropper at the first. A first-time visor might sharpen him up and he has to be considered. Billy Ballbreaker has won two of his last three races and, despite being a further nine pounds higher than for the latest of them, could well have further improvement in him. Of the others, Mazileo is not far above a winning mark and is respected, while Team Captain holds a chance on his Hereford win, although you will have to forgive him his latest effort. Excellent Vibes could still have some improvement in him over fences, while Adalie is now back to a winning mark from last year. Tudor King is edging back towards a winning mark, while watch the betting with regard to Vandante. With most of the rest are racing from out of the weights, although not by much, so we return to the selection, which is Bobsbest.
Murat (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Mistake and unseated rider in race won by Lonesome Man (10-10) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in May, 9 ran.
Billy Ballbreaker (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, headway to lead next, ridden after last, challenged final furlong, stayed on under pressure, won at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in May beating Carriage Ride (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bobsbest (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 9th, went 2nd after 11th, hard ridden to lead approaching last, all out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun beating Stage Friendly (10-5) by a nk, 11 ran.
Excellent Vibes (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Hit 3rd, never travelling well in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Maidstone Monument (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun, 15 ran.
Vandante (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) In touch, mistake and lost place 9th, no danger after, 6th of 7, 25l behind Panmure (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Tudor King (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led at good pace, headed 7th, chased leading pair until 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, well behind Maidstone Monument (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in May.
Alcatras (IRE) 10-3 (9-11) Tended to jump right, tailed off, headway to go prominent after 9th, chased winner 14th, no impression from 4 out, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Ross Comm (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Mazileo 16-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 3rd, clear 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 16, 19l behind Excellent Vibes (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.