led, mistake 3 out, ridden before 2 out, pressed last, headed run-in, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders in 3rd, in 3rd and staying on when pecked and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader, ridden to challenge last, led run-in, kept on towards finish
in rear, pushed along 7th, left 3rd 2 out, one pace and no impression
These are all newcomers to fences though there isn't much between them on hurdles ratings. Jump City, a winner on the Flat in France, won two novice hurdles last season and is certain to attract attention in the market but doesn't have a traditional jumping pedigree nor does Grams And Ounces, who was well placed to complete a hat-trick in handicaps over timber at the turn of the year. Traditional Bob has more of a chaser's pedigree and has a fitness advantage over his rivals though he'll need to improve if he's to beat DOUBLE ROSS, who can complete a double for the Twiston-Davies yard. He's a full brother to a winning point-to-pointer so jumping fences should be his game and his close third in the Grade 3 Swinton Hurdle at Haydock on his final start is the best hurdling form on view.
Double Ross (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, blundered 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 19, 2 3/4l behind Red Merlin (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in May.
Grams And Ounces 7-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, outpaced from 2 out, no extra last, 5th of 7, 14l behind Dream Esteem (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Mar.
Jump City (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led soon after 3 out, soon clear, in no danger after, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Joseph Mercer (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Traditional Bob (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 15l behind Piment D'estruval (10-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
