made most and soon clear with one other, reduced lead 10th, ridden and narrowly headed soon after 4 out, soon beaten and left poor 2nd last
clear in leading pair, headway 10th, tracked leader going well 4 out, led soon after next, hard ridden 2 out, joined and left well clear last
chased leaders, blundered 7th and 11th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, bled from both nostrils
behind, pushed along 8th, headway into 5th before 3 out, jumped badly right and left poor 4th last
held up, headway into 4th and pushed along before 3 out, weakened next, mistake and left 3rd last
never travelling in rear, hit 2nd, reminder 6th, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 4 out
soon with leader, ridden and hit 12th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
Sandymac is sure to be popular whilst Mighty Moose and Shake The Barley are consistent enough to merit consideration but it could be worth siding with WESTFIELD BOB. His shrewd handler will need no introduction to punters on these shores and it could be worth taking a chance with the Bob Back gelding despite his failure to finish in the money in eleven career starts to date. This is his first run over the larger obstacles, he's pitched in at a realistic level and could reap the rewards. Sandymac stayed on well to deny I Hear Thunder and has to be feared from just a 7lb higher mark; that was just his second start over fences so it's reasonable to expect further improvement and he's the one to beat. He certainly has more scope than Shake The Barley and Mighty Moose who have flattered to deceive too often to be recommended with any confidence but we'll take a chance with the chasing debutant Westfield Bob.
Brave Jo (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Led until after 1st, with leader until 14th, soon ridden, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 43l behind Dennis The Legend (10-5) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Shake The Barley (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, one pace in 3rd when jumped left last 3 fences, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Fire And Rain (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Don't Be Bleu (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Lucky Nellerie (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Sandymac (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Held up in rear, steady headway 12th, went 3rd before 3 out, chased leader 2 out, hard ridden and stayed on well flat, led final strides, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating I Hear Thunder (11-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Westfield Bob (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, improved to lead after 6 out, mistake 4 out, headed next, soon ridden and weakened, 13th of 18, well behind Pretty Happy (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Beehawk 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway under pressure approaching 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, never any chance, mistake last, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Line Artic (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 12th, switched right and staying on from 2 out, just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Aheadofhistime (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Pavarottis Brother (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Never travelling, in touch, ridden and struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Freeze Up (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Lease Back (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Always in last pair, driven along and struggling 9th, hit 4 out, beaten when blundered next, 6th of 7, 36l behind Dead Or Alive (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
