tracked leaders, led 7th, clear when mistakes last 2, eased towards finish
led, hit 1st, ridden and headed 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 5th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on well from last, not troubled leaders
behind, blundered 4th, headway after 5th, blundered 7th, soon weakened, tailed off from 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
chased leaders until weakened 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
A wide open event, in which Bobanvi can only be a tentative choice, ahead of Count Tony, Palais and Protocol. Connections had to go to 6,800 gns after Bobanvi's Cartmel success in similar company in May. However, she has disappointed in two subsequent outings, and is no good thing to oblige here. We are prepared to give her one more chance though, with the trip in her favour. If she does let us down, we can assume that she is too high in the weights, and we will be wary of her in future. Count Tony comes from an in-form yard and whenever Peter Bowen books Tony McCoy, you know he means business. On the evidence so far though, the nine-year-old will need every assistance in the saddle. Palais was a winner over three miles here last August, but has taken time to find his form and would prefer softer ground anyway, while Protocol is rated around the same mark as when successful here in December 2002. He has gone off the boil since though, and in a poor race, Bobanvi is lumbered with the selection.
