blundered 1st and 2nd, behind when pulled up after next
in touch, left in lead after 9th, made rest, pushed clear 2 out, comfortably
mid-division, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden 5 out, no impression from next
behind, reminders from 7th, outpaced 5 out, never dangerous
mid-division, blundered 6th, headway and left chasing winner 11th, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, weakened flat
towards rear, outpaced 5 out, never on terms
soon behind, struggling when hampered 10th, pulled up before next
raced keenly, led and clear to 8th, pulled up quickly after next
jumped right throughout, held up and behind when fell 10th,
chased clear leader to 9th, chased winner until pulled up before 11th
Bob Ar Aghaidh can prove too strong for High Rank, with Lubinas the other main danger. This beginners' chase should not take much winning, and Bob Ar Aghaidh shaped well enough at Taunton in February to warrant support today. He was not beaten far by Were In Touch, and the third horse was nearly 20 lengths away, so he should be capable of going one better. In addition, that was his third start over fences, so he should have enough experience to see off the rest. The best of them may be High Rank who finished third at Doncaster in March, on what was his second outing over the larger obstacles, and his first run since December. He made a mistake at the last on Town Moor and will need to improve to trouble Bob Ar Aghaidh. Lubinas has plenty of experience already, and will handle the trip, but although Graham Lee is a positive booking, he is already looking a bit exposed. The feeling is that Bob Ar Aghaidh has more scope than the rest on view, and he gets a confident vote.
