Good Boy Bobby
Good Boy Bobby ran a big race in the two-mile beginners' chase, just getting run down by Brewin'upastorm close home. Sent to the front from flagfall by Sam Twiston-Davies, he jumped well out in front. He had seen off Global Citizen by the time they got to the third last fence, and he had the measure of Midnight Shadow, and he rallied when Brewin'upastorm challenged him on the run to the last. He had led at a good pace, and he could easily have capitulated, but he battled all the way up the run-in, and only went down by a head, with the pair of them clear.
This was a really hot beginners' chase, he was taking on rivals who were rated significantly superior to him over hurdles. Global Citizen won the Grade 2 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last season, and both he and Midnight Shadow, winner of the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle and the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle, are rated more than a stone superior to Good Boy Bobby over hurdles. Also, Brewin'upastorm finished fourth in the Ballymore Hurdle at Cheltenham last year.
Good Boy Bobby went very close. Also, he led at a fast pace, and rallied gamely. There was a lot to like about this performance.
Winner of three of his four bumpers two seasons ago, the Flemensfirth gelding was a seriously progressive novice hurdler last season, again winning three of his four races. This was a big step up in grade for him, he was taking on classy horses on his chasing bow, and he proved that he was up to it all right. He does like to race prominently and, as such, a move to a more speed-favouring track should suit him well. He goes well right-handed, so Kempton or Sandown could be good tracks for him, but he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Carlisle, 24th October 2019
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