not fluent in rear, reminders after 8th, tailed off 10th
in rear, not alway fluent, headway 15th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
made vitually all, in command from 4 out, stayed on gamely, ridden out
held up in mid-division, closed 5th, mistake 7th, hit 17th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
led until 1st, chased winner after, not fluent 15th, ridden and no impression 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not able to challenge
soon towards rear, mistake 9th, behind next, pulled up before 13th
chased leaders who went clear from 2nd, closed 11th, stumbled 17th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, one pace, no impression
chased leaders who went clear from 2nd, closed 11th, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 3 out
David Pipe complicates matters for backers by saddling three of the nine runners for this handicap chase with recent course third Sir Bathwick looking the pick of the trio over Over The Creek and Pauillac but it is hard to get away from NOW LISTEN TO ME, who looks the one to beat. The selection has yet to win for Paul Nicholls but the seven-year-old has shown improved form since being put over fences and a reproduction of the form shown when narrowly beaten by Nom De Guerre over course and distance in a novices' chase last month may well suffice off what seems a fair mark. Romping Home ran out and unseated her rider at the last when still with every chance at Uttoxeter last month and has to be considered along with Tank Buster, who looks to be going the right way. Colin Tizzard's Classic Clover is capable but faces no easy task from out of the weights and of more interest may be Nick Mitchell's Newbay Bob, who has been running well of late. Now Listen To Me is open to plenty of improvement though and looks well enough treated to open his account over fences on his handicap debut.
Over The Creek 8-1 (11-10) Led, headed 19th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 17, 31l behind Omix D'or (10-9) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Apr.
Romping Home (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) In rear, disputed 2nd approaching 9th, challenged and every chance approaching last when ran out, in a race won by Rosie All Over (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m Mares Handicap Chase (0-125) (5yo+) (3) gf in Apr, 4 ran.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Quo Video (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Now Listen To Me 11-10 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 9th, hit 12th, headed 14th, about a length down when blundered 3 out, hit next, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 3, 2l behind Nom de Guerre (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Newbay Bob 7-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, rallied and effort approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Son Histoire (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Apr.
Tank Buster 15-2 (11-3) Towards rear, mistake 6th, badly hampered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Midnight Haze (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Hoof It Harry (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, chased leaders approaching 4 out, weakening when mistake 2out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Painter Man (11-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Classic Clover 7-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 7th, driven along 11th, lost place before 18th (5 out), last at next, tailed off, 6th of 9, 43l behind Tarquinius (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Pauillac (FR) 10-3 (11-6) Not keen and ridden along in last, behind 7th, went remote 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 36l behind Prince Des Marais (11-6) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
