held up, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2 out, kept on flat, driven out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, soon behind, not fluent 8th, lost place approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, headed 2 out, kept on flat
soon tracking leader and keen, weakened approaching 10th
James Lambe's Quivvy Bridge is best in at the weights and the daughter of Alflora has to be strongly considered in a novices' hurdle that lacks any strength in depth but she has yet to prove that she stays this far and is not certain to do so and a better bet may be HOUSE OF BOURBON, who is preferred to Mr Robert. The eight-year-old has shown improved form since joining Evan Williams and has been good value for his three successes for his new stable. The gelding should appreciate the return to hurdles having disappointed in two recent starts over fences but he does have a triple penalty to carry and that may prevent him from scoring again. Boston Bay and Willybegood make no appeal at all and will probably be playing for fourth place at best in a race taken to go to House Of Bourbon. Tim Vaughan's gelding won well over fences at Southwell in July and showed his best form over hurdles at Ffos Las recently when chasing home Carsonstown Boy over this trip; he looks worth back receiving 1st 7lb from Mr Robert.
Mr Robert (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Held up, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 15, 6l behind Valley Ride (9-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Quivvy Bridge (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 5th, led briefly next, still every chance last, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Risk (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Boston Bay 100-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, tracked leader, jumped left 3rd, soon lost 2nd, ridden after 7th, weakening when not fluent next, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Crazy Eyes (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Willybegood (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) In rear, always behind, tailed off after 5th, 8th of 9, well behind Risk (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
