tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leader until 3rd, blundered and lost place 4 out, well beaten next
held up in touch on outside, not always fluent, pushed along after 3 out, 4th and beaten before last, no extra flat
held up in touch on inside, not fluent 2nd, closed when hit 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven out, stayed on well
led, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner final 100 yards
held up in touch, tracking leaders when fell 2 out
All of these are making their debut over hurdles but two of them have won bumpers and the same number have been successful between the flags. It’s interesting that Harry Skelton prefers £80,000 purchase REDZOR to stablemate Captain Drake. His mount gets the nod as the Sean Bowen-ridden five-year-old may need softer ground. One For The Team looked a nice prospect at Wincanton in March and Smackwater Jack was an unlucky loser at Fakenham a month later so makes more appeal than Quoi De Neuf and Invisible Clouds.
Captain Drake (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Took keen hold, always prominent, led 8f out, edged left inside final furlong, all out, won at Towcester 2m mdn (5) hvy in Mar beating J'ai Froid (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Invisible Clouds (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Andapa (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f (5) gd in May.
One For The Team 2-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) sft in Mar beating Zee Man (10-10) by 3 1/4l, 3 ran.
Quoi De Neuf (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Ww rr, last 1/2way, closer aft 10th, gd prog to 2nd bef 3out, going best & ld aft 2out, 6l adv last, kow, easily, won at Ballysteen 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Howling Milan (11-11) by 9l, 10 ran.
Redzor (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 5th 1/2way & clsr 5th 4out, trvl well 2nd 3out, chall & ld last, kow, won at Ballyragget 3m mdn sft in Mar beating Crio Cuervos (12-2) by 3l, 9 ran.
Smackwater Jack (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out, ridden 2f out, strong challenge when faltered slightly near finish, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Before Midnight (11-7) at Fakenham 2m (5) gs in Apr.
