held up in touch, not fluent 4th, mistake and unseated rider 6th
held up, closed when not fluent 4th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon closed again, led 2 out, in command last, stayed on
prominent, every chance before not fluent 2 out, soon one pace and beaten, left 3rd last
soon led, mistake and headed 3rd, led 4th until after next, weakened before 2 out, pulled up approaching last
jumped left at times, led early, led 3rd, headed 4th, led after 5th, headed 2 out, disputing 2nd but held when mistake and unseated rider last
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, disputing 2nd when left in clear 2nd last, no impression on winner
in rear, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
Cougar Kid has done well this season, winning three times, but a 10lb rise for his latest victory at Hereford may be too much. It was hard not to be impressed with SAVOY COURT (NAP) on his handicap debut here last month. He’s also gone up 10lb but is much less exposed and can double his tally. Fortunate George has been chasing but looks a danger if that hasn’t blunted some of his speed. He’s a dual winner here and Colin Tizzard may be able to eke further improvement out of Watcombe Heights. Former Tizzard inmate Dusky Lark reverted to hurdles at Exeter but was well beaten and is best watched for now.
Zero Grand (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up, held up, weakened after 5th, mistake next, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Fortunate George (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Held up in touch in last pair, headway tracking leaders after 7th, mistake and ridden next, outpaced in last before 10th, plugged on under pressure into modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, 19 1/4l behind Acting Lass (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Dusky Lark 12-1 (11-12) Chased winner until ridden before 2 out, held in 3rd when left well held 2nd 2 out (normal 3 out), no chance with winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 19 1/4l behind Yalltari (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Savoy Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Prominent on outside, led after 3 out, jumped left and mistake 2 out, went left and guessed at last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Hatchet Jack (11-8) by 10l, 14 ran.
Never Equalled (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Raced wide close up, dropped to rear 5th, short lived effort 3 out, 6th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Sykes (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Watcombe Heights (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway and switched left before 3 out, chased winner after next, not clear run and switched left flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Flemcara (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cougar Kid (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, hit 4th, headway from 3 out, challenged after next, soon led, clear before last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Castafiore (11-1) by 7l, 10 ran.
