pressed winner, ridden 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, no extra flat
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd and switched left after 2 out, challenged last, held towards finish
made all but pressed, joined last, driven flat, stayed on, holding 2nd towards finish
Catboy was well beaten in a bumper here and on his hurdling debut at Taunton. Push To Pass was well supported at Kempton but pulled hard and weakened quickly from two out. VALADON came here for his debut and though unable to match strides with Salver, who was completing a double, should have no problems going one better.
Catboy (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along in 4th home turn, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Inside Man (11-0) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Push To Pass (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened into 4th last, 4th of 6, 32 1/2l behind Captain Marvellous (11-0) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Valadon (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Midfield, briefly ridden before 3 out where in touch with leaders, stayed into 2nd approaching last, kept on run-in, no match for winner, 2nd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Salver (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.