raced on inside, chased leaders, disputing lead and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before the last
led, pushed along after 3 out, narrowly headed when mistake 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leading pair, pushed along and effort between horses 2 out, soon hung right, 2nd between last 2, ridden to lead last, strongly pressed close home, all out
held up last, briefly outpaced 4 out, good headway on inside chasing leaders before 2 out, plugged on in 3rd, no chance with 1st 2
edgy in preliminaries, held up in 4th, challenged on wide outside 3 out, led on outside 2 out, headed last, strong challenge close home, just failed
DAME DE COMPAGNIE was backed off the boards in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham after winning a maiden at Uttoxeter but finished last. Just beaten over 2m2f at Auteuil back in 2016, she’s likely to appreciate this step up in trip and can make a successful return to action. Count Meribel won over slightly further here in November and is another eased in grade. He’s entitled to respect but Captain Cattistock will need to improve again on a couple of victories at Wincanton to complete his hat-trick. Point Of Principle showed promise in the autumn but may need to have his sights lowered, though he makes more appeal than Warthog.
Captain Cattistock 8-11fav (11-12) Made all, ridden pressed last, stayed on well, asserted towards finish, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Hurricane Hollow (11-9) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Count Meribel 3-1 (11-3) Led, not fluent 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 19l behind Mr Whipped (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Point Of Principle (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Close up, pressed leading pair 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Silver Concorde (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Warthog (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside before 3 out, chased leaders before next, ridden and weakened rapidly between last 2, pulled up before last, at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Dame De Compagnie (FR) 10-11fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2 out (usual 3 out), soon outpaced, lost place after last (usual 2 out), behind and well held after, last of 5, 9 1/4l behind Slate House (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
