tracked winner until pushed along on long run before 2 out, chased leading pair until 2 out, soon weakened
tended to jump right, mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4th, went right and bumped 6th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, poor 5th when blundered 2 out, went 4th run-in
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied into modest 3rd next
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, never on terms after, struggling in last pair 6th, tailed off 3 out
made all, clear after 3 out until next, shaken up and joined last, ridden and stayed on to assert final 100 yards
always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
mistake 3rd, always in rear, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
took keen hold, last pair and never involved, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, steady headway tracking leaders and going well when slightly hampered 6th, went 2nd on long run before 2 out, closed 2 out, chance last, no extra final 100 yards
in rear, mistake 1st, jumped badly right and unseated rider 4th
Bob's Boy is only moderate on the Flat but still started favourite for his hurdling bow at Wetherby where he made must until finding no extra from the last where he was passed by Aislabie and today's rival Dinsdale. The latter had the benefit of experience so isn't certain to confirm the form though the one to take out of the race is Force Of Forces, who was in the front rank throughout and had just been headed when falling at the last. Cry Wolf, who finished fifth, was going on at the finish and a stiffer test of stamina could see him get much closer. Ochos Rios never won in minor company on the level but showed the benefit of his debut run at Fontwell with a fair run behind the high-class Grade 1 winner Defi Du Seuil on a return visit. Pension Madness, another maiden on the Flat, has improved with each run over timber but will still need more so the vote goes to TIMOTEO. Alan King's charge started out in Grade 2 company after arriving from France and though eventually disappointing in a handicap at Leicester it was a tougher race than this and he should now be spot-on. Night Of Sin has run in better company in his two starts and should do better than he did at Kempton last time.
Bob's Boy 2-1jfav (11-0) Led, headed after 3rd, led again before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Allfredandnobell (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Cry Wolf 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 5th of 13, 15 1/4l behind Aislabie (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Dinsdale 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, led before last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Aislabie (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Force Of Forces (FR) 13-2 (11-0) In touch, led before 3 out, headed before and fell last, at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Night Of Sin (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, mistake next, 7th of 9, dist behind Charli Parcs (11-3) at Kempton 2m (2) gd in Dec.
Ochos Rios 6-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, led and clear to 4th where not fluent, joined 2 out, soon headed and ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner before last, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Pension Madness (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, rallied under pressure after next, went 3rd between last two, kept on run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Cosmeapolitan (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Ronaldjamessach (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, not always fluent, behind 6th, pulled up before last, at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug.
Status Quo (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind La Bacouetteuse (9-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Timoteo (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, one pace in 4th from last, 5th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Sleepy Haven (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Desert Tango 12-1 (8-13) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Pensax Lady (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (6) pol in Nov.
