tracked leaders, led 5th, 2 lengths clear and still going well when fell 3 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, left in lead 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 7th, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 6th, ridden and weakened appoarching 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching, 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden apporoaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up rear, headway 6th, 2nd and going well when badly hampered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, not recover
chased leaders until 6th, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out
led until 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
Despite some disappointing efforts since landing his first race for Colin Tinkler in November, Bob Ar Aghaidh looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to resume winning ways and is taken to do so at the main expense of Keepers Mead and Blue Endeavour. The last mentioned looks to be one of the lesser lights in the stable of Paul Nicholls but the likelihood is that there is improvement to come from six-year-old over this longer trip. He rates a bigger threat than Robert Alner's Keepers Mead, who is consistent but has come up short in admittedly better company of late. As we have already said, the selection has failed to progress since winning at Uttoxeter but a combination of testing conditions and the Tinkler yard going out of form may have contributed to three subsequent defeats. This looks easier and, with the yard back among the winners again, there should be no excuses today. Henrietta Knight's Ascot winner Yardbird was highly tried in the Royal & Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle last time and should appreciate the drop in class here. He certainly rates a bigger threat than stablemate Pin High. Alan King's Off Broadway and the Robert Alner-trained On Les Aura have both shown signs of ability and are worthy of a mention but we are preferred to take a chance with Bob Ar Aghaidh.
