mid-division, headway when mistake 7th, challenged on outside after 3 out, led after next, ridden when mistake last, headed flat, kept on same pace
led, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th and held when blundered last, weakened flat
in touch on inside, outpaced 3 out, switched outside before next, ridden and weakened between last 2
mid-division on outside, lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, outpaced 3 out, weakened after next
held up in last pair, steady headway 3 out, challenged last, led flat, ridden out flat
pressed leader, lost place when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last, went 4th after last, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out, soon behind
held up in last pair, struggling 7th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on same pace flat
BROADBACKBOB is taking a big leap in grade but has looked an outstanding prospect at Ascot and Newbury and it will take a huge effort to lower his colours. Polisky started odds-on to beat him last time after a cracking run behind Fingal Bay here but ran a shocker and there looked to be something amiss. It would be no surprise to see him bounce back while Knight Pass improved for stepping up in trip at Kempton and should do even better over this much stiffer track. Secret Edge is a very good yardstick as he's performed with credit in the best juvenile company.
Broadbackbob (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd when mistake 3 out, led after 2 out, asserting when mistake last, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec beating Ballygarvey (10-12) by 11l, 14 ran.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Pressed leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Barbatos (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Knight Pass (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and edged left between last 2, kept on under pressure flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Frontier Dancer (11-1) by 2l, 17 ran.
Bowntobebad (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Not fluent 1st, held up in last pair, headway to 3rd before 3rd, pushed along and lost 3rd 7th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Valid Reason (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Hawk Mountain (UAE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, every chance before next, mistake last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Crackentorp (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Batonnier (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway from 2 out, closing when hit last, stayed on under pressure, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Barbatos (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Catch Tammy (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped big 2nd, challenged 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Elton Fox (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Hard To Swallow (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, headway after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 11l behind Barbatos (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Low Gales (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, soon behind, 12th of 15, well behind Open Hearted (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Polisky (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) In touch in mid-division, ridden after 7th, well held 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 14, well behind Broadbackbob (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec.
Secret Edge 7-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd next, stayed on under pressure, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Hollow Tree (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
