not always fluent, led, briefly headed before 5th, not fluent 6th, not fluent 7th, ridden and headed before 3 out, pulled up before last
midfield, 4 lengths 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, not fluent 3 out, soon chased leader, 2 lengths down 2 out, not fluent last, soon outpaced by winner, kept on one pace run-in
always in rear, ridden before 13th, detached in last with a circuit to go, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 11th, ridden before 14th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up
prominent, not fluent 3rd, briefly led before 5th, not fluent 9th, not fluent 14th, soon ridden and lost position, not fluent 15th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up
close up in touch, not fluent 14th, not fluent 15th, smooth headway to lead before 3 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths ahead 2 out where nodded on landing, maintained advantage approaching last, kept on well run-in
Hereford runner-up Pilot Show wouldn’t want the ground much softer but it was heavy going when CAPTAIN CLAUDE won over a shorter trip here on last month’s chasing bow. This extra distance will suit and Anthony Honeyball’s yard is in good form. Edison Kent won at Fakenham when reverting to hurdling and can race off the same mark for this while it was good going when Game Socks won at Worcester last year.
Behind The Curtain (IRE) 25-1 (11-13) Fell 1st, at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Pilot Show (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) In touch, not fluent 2nd, bad mistake 12th, bumped 13th, headway 4 out, 3rd 3 out, went close 2nd before last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Hipop Des Ongrais (12-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Game Socks (IRE) 14-1 (12-2) Close up in rear, mistake 10th, joined leaders 4 out, ridden next, weakened soon after 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Snowy Evening (12-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Edison Kent (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Held up, headway travelling well after 4 out, pushed along before 2 out where jumped to dispute lead, soon led outright, clear at last where made mistake, driven out, easily, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Copshill Lad (12-0) by 23l, 7 ran.
Sandy Brook (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Midfield, slightly impeded by faller 5th, reminders after 6th, outpaced after 5 out, outpaced after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Captain Claude (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, pecked 9th, went 2nd at 12th, pushed along before 3 out, not fluent last, ridden and led run-in, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Nov beating Maasai Warrior (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
