held up in 4th, slightly hampered 10th, not fluent, weakened next, losing touch when jumped right next, pulled up after
tracked leader, took narrow lead from 7th, blundered and fell 10th
led, jumped slowly 5th, narrowly headed 7th, left in clear lead 10th, hard pressed from 12th, narrowly headed well before 3 out, beaten when pecked badly 2 out, jumped left last
raced wide, tracked leaders, mistake, weakened 4 out, soon eased when no chance with leading pair
mistake 2nd, settled last, mistake 9th, headway to track leader before 12th, led well before 3 out, in command next, stayed on strongly
Crozan Bob Bob Bobin and The Listener are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the vote is given to Crozan. The selection is held in very high regard and although he was disappointing last time out behind Darkness. He looks sure to be suited by this softer surface and he is taken to bounce back to form. The Listener rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Neapolitan. That form has since been franked and he will not be far away but the suspicion is he lacks the kick in the finish of the selection and for that reason he is opposed. Idle Talk is another that could go well as he also won well last time out when beating when beating Reflected Glory but this looks tougher and he will need to improve to score. Bob Bob Bobbin will love the ground and is another that could go well but he also has a little to find on official bhb figures. Montgermont looks outclassed.
Crozan (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, beaten when blundered 2 out and hit last, 4th of 5, 28l behind Darkness (11-7) at Sandown 3m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
The Listener (IRE) 8-11fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, disputed lead to 2 out, led approaching last, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Napolitain (10-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bob Bob Bobbin 2-5fav (11-9) Made all, mistake 9th (ditch), slow jump 11th, clear from 2 out, comfortable, won at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Dancer Life (11-9) by 11l, 4 ran.
Idle Talk (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led briefly 8th, led again 4 out, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan beating Reflected Glory (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Montgermont (FR) 7-2 (11-3) In touch, headway 9th, led approaching 4 out, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan beating Reveillez (11-3) by 10l, 10 ran.
