Racecards
15:15 Haydock Park
Michael 'oscar' Wild Retirement Novices' Chase (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,903
- 2nd: £1,146
- 3rd: £573
- 4th: £286
- Form 7304-14
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up in touch, hit 2nd, went 2nd after 6th, 2 lengths down in 2nd when blundered badly 4 out and soon lost place, ridden and rallied approaching last, led soon after, headed and no extra towards finish
- Form 43120-5
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
tracked leader until after 6th, left 2nd after 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, rallied flat, led towards finish, held on well
- Form 1116/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
tracked leaders in 3rd when jumped right 1st, in rear when fell 8th
Our Bob (IRE)
336- Form 44134/4-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Flint
led, narrow lead when blundered last, soon headed, weakened flat
In depth
Verdict
OUR BOB has the most scope for improvement but he's far from a 'shoe-in'. Placed at Grade Two level over hurdles, the Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding made a satisfactory debut over fences last December. Not seen since, there is plenty to take on trust, however this well-bred individual has been described as 'getting on in years but capable of winning a race or two over fences' in a recent stable tour. Alderley Rover may be the main danger; Don McCain's gelding jumped well on his chasing bow at Carlisle and this strong-stayer should relish this track. Born Again won't mind any further rain and he shaped with promise behind Alderley Rover last time, whilst Gray Mountain is hard to fancy off a 740 day absence but he did show plenty of ability over hurdles.
Formwatch
Alderley Rover (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, disputed 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 13, 5l behind Alvarado (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Born Again (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pecked 8th, steady headway from 4 out, in 5th and no impression from 2 out, 5th of 13, 16l behind Alvarado (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Gray Mountain (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, pecked 6th, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 24l behind Hell's Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct '08.
Our Bob (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed narrowly 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 20l behind Bakbenscher (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.