WETHERBY (24 Apr 2005)

Good

3:30 118 247 Beginners' Chase (Class E) (5yo+)

[off 3:31] £3,916.25, £1,205.00, £602.50, £301.25 18 fences (2m7f110y) 2m7½f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Bob Ar Aghaidh (IRE) C Tinkler 9 11-2 T Doyle 85/40F — —

2 15 Frankie Dori (IRE) S Donohoe 6 11-2 R P McNally 7/1 — —

3 10 Lubinas (IRE) F Jordan 6 11-2 G Lee 100/30 99 — —

4 1¼ Sailor A´Hoy M Mullineaux 9 10-13 p R Young(3) 10/1 96 — —

5 hd Lambrini Bianco (IRE) Mrs L Williamson 7 10-9 p D Laverty(7) 50/1 65 — —

6 dist High Rank J Mackie 6 11-2 t P Moloney 14/1 — —

PU Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) S Gollings 7 11-2 F Keniry 25/1 95 — —

PU Bobalong (IRE) C P Morlock 8 11-2 A Thornton 14/1 109 — —

PU Seemore Sunshine M J Gingell 8 11-2 S Curran 100/1 — —

PU Manor Star B D Leavy 6 9-13 D R Cook(10) 100/1 67 — —

F Isellido (IRE) R C Guest 6 10-9 H Oliver 5/1 — —

11 ran TIME 5m 56.20s (slow by 13.20s) TOTAL SP 114%

1st OWNER: George Ward BRED: George Ward TRAINER: C Tinkler

2nd OWNER: T Hyland

3rd OWNER: Paul Ratcliffe

TOTE WIN £3.30 PL £1.80, £2.20, £1.60; Ex £27.50; CSF £17.04

ANALYSIS: Few with solid credentials over fences in this beginners' chase and there were only three left in contention rounding the home turn for the final time. However, BOB AR AGHAIDH did this well, left in the lead at halfway, making the rest and ultimately scoring comfortably.

His jumping was better than it had been in three previous ventures over fences, thanks to reported intensive homework, and the further he went the better - as might be expected of a gelding who is out of a Stayers' Hurdle winner. He is likely to have his sights kept low and should win a long-distance novices' event under a penalty.

Irish raider Frankie Dori was stepping back up in trip but seemed to last out, keeping on to take second at the last fence without threatening the impressive winner.

Lubinas did not stay the trip, weakening in the closing stages, and was again below the form he showed at around 2m4f in the middle of last season.