raced keenly, led, clear 3rd until before 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened tamely
took keen hold, tracked leaders on insde, went 2nd 2 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra run-in
tracked clear leader, closer before 4 out, well there when lost 2nd 2 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd between last two
took keen hold, tracked leaders on outside, led travelling well approaching 2 out, ridden between last two, in command when edged left under pressure run-in, stayed on strongly to go clear
took keen hold, held up in last trio, weakened 3 out
took keen hold, held up in last pair, not fluent 1st, pushed along and outpaced in 5th after 3 out, eased when no chance run-in, tailed off
last pair, in rear and outpaced 4th, never on terms after
NonRunner
Capitaine doesn’t look an easy ride but beat Captain Forez on similar terms in a Grade 2 at Ascot in December and kept on for pressure when second to Finian’s Oscar in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month. Elgin won over this course and distance on Boxing Day and was then second in a Grade 2 at Haydock. Peter The Mayo Man won three in a row on good ground before finding Lough Derg Spirit too strong at Musselburgh. The latter is trained by Nicky Henderson, who could enhance a profitable afternoon via RIVER WYLDE. He’s been brought along quietly so far but wouldn’t be running in this grade unless thought capable and, like a few of these, still holds an entry in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’.
Capitaine (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leading pair on inside, 2nd approaching and mistake 2 out, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Finian's Oscar (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Elgin 3-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 5th, chased winner before 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Neon Wolf (11-8) at Haydock 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 10-11fav (11-11) Tracked leader, driven to challenge after 2 out, stayed on well, never reached winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Lough Derg Spirit (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m (2) gd in Feb.
River Wylde (IRE) (11-11) Held up mid-division, headway to challenge 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly, won at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Grand Turina (10-11) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
Bazooka (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway into 4th 2 out, plugged on same pace, pressed for modest 3rd, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 9, 13 3/4l behind Coeur de Lion (10-10) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Feb.
Mister Universum (GER) 10-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, 2nd when went right and mistake 2 out, no chance with easy winner, hit last, no extra and lost two places run-in, 4th of 7, 9 1/2l behind William Henry (11-0) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Ronnie Baird 100-1 (10-7) Held up last, left in 4th place 4th, outpaced and no chance from next, 4th of 5, dist behind Finian's Oscar (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Feb.
Captain Forez (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch in last pair, smooth headway into 4th 4 out, 3rd on outside 2 out, one pace when hung right between last two, kept on into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Capitaine (11-7) at Ascot 2m (1) gs in Dec.
