raced on inside, chased leaders, went 2nd 2nd until approaching 7th, went 2nd again 8th until ridden, outpaced and no chance with leading pair before 3 out
raced towards outside, led, not fluent 7th, narrowly headed before 3 out, still upsides and travelling okay when mistake 2 out, immediately beaten
raced wide, chased leader until 2nd, went 2nd again before 7th until next, led before 3 out, in command after 2 out, idled, kept on well flat
took keen hold early, always last, outpaced and struggling 8th, soon eased, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
It was fast ground when Traditional Bob broke his duck over hurdles at Stratford last month and he has to prove that was no fluke off an higher 8lb mark today given he'd never looked like winning before then. It was also good going when Balding Banker scored at Uttoxeter last time and Marshal Zhukov's recent victory at Fontwell looks stronger form. However, TROP FORT has been threatening to get his head in front of late and, after a recent second at Exeter, it could the turn of David Pipe's charge today.
Trop Fort (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Led until after 3rd, chased clear leader, took closer order 4 out, led before next, headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Dragon's Den (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Little Fritz (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 11, 25l behind Opening Batsman (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Pericoloso (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway from 8th, ridden after 4 out, 4th and outpaced from next, 4th of 12, 18l behind Cocacobana (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Comme Je Trouve (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, no impression 3 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Great Gusto (11-3) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Traditional Bob (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 5th, headway after 3 out, chased leader before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Red Skipper (10-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Balding Banker (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, soon led, driven right out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Oscar's Secret (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Marshal Zhukov (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leading trio, travelling well after 3 out, led before next, soon clear, driven right out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Warsaw Pact (10-7) by 14l, 8 ran.
