mistake 1st, in rear, mistake 7th, soon outpaced, lost touch when ridden after 4 out, tailed off
close up on outside, effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression in 4th approaching last
led to 2nd, with leader, regained narrow lead 5th, headed narrowly after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, no extra in 3rd from last
tracked leader, led 2nd to 5th, with leader, regained narrow lead after 3 out, ridden after next, soon hard pressed, headed flat, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, upsides last, led flat, kept on
Casual Cavalier went up 9lb for a very easy victory in a lower-grade handicap here last month but followed up in a better race at Newcastle. But he's up another 11lb here which makes things much more difficult. Connections of MUMGOS DEBUT will be aggrieved that he's been raised 8lb after falling at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve. But he was in the lead at the time and would probably have won so compensation awaits. Captain Hox's only victory over fences came when finishing alone in a two-runner race here a year ago but the assessor has relaxed his grip and given him a chance. Trust Thomas won this last year and, though not in the best of form recently, has been racing at a higher level.
Captain Hox (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up, in touch, headway into 3rd after 9th, kept on same pace in 3rd from 4 out, 3rd of 7, 8 1/4l behind Groomed (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Trust Thomas 28-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along 7th, no impression on winner 2 out, pressing for 2nd last, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Herons Heir (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Mumgos Debut (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led until 4th, led before 3 out, clear next, 4 lengths ahead when fell last, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, challenged 4 out, not fluent and went left 3 out, 3 lengths down when left in lead and jumped left again 2 out, soon idled, ridden out flat, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Eastview Boy (11-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Las Tunas (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, tracked new leader 7th until ridden before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before the last, 4th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Halcyon Days (11-11) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
