chased leaders, challenged 7th, ridden after 3 out, led before last, headed flat, kept on
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 2nd, hanging left before 5th, ridden and lost touch approaching 7th
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, closed next, led flat, stayed on, ridden out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, well behind 3 out
led until 7th, led 3 out, jumped left next, still every chance flat, held final 75 yards, stayed on
towards rear, not fluent 1st or 5th, modest 6th 2 out, closed next, weakened before last
prominent, mistake 3rd and 5th, jumped left and lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division on inside, mistake 5th, modest 5th 3 out, closed to take 4th when not fluent next, no impression on leaders, stayed on
prominent, led 7th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and weakened 2 out
Post War won a Doncaster maiden on his hurdling debut but the second and third have both been well beaten since and he might struggle here under his penalty. Like The Sound’s victory in a hands and heels race at Uttoxeter hasn’t been franked either but it may be too soon to write off Thomas Shelby, even though he didn’t find much off the bridle at Towcester last time when favourite. CAPTAIN BUCK’S (NAP) came up against an above-average novice in Bags Groove at Taunton and was only headed at the last. That was an excellent first run over timber and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t go one better today. Milzipa, a stablemate of Post War, has only had one run in a bumper and may need more time.
Post War 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 4th and next, 3rd going well 4 out, led approaching and went left 2 out, clear before went left again last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Dec beating Benny In Milan (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Belmont Park (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, driven before 4 out, ridden and lost place after next, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 22 1/4l behind Elegant Escape (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Captain Buck's (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Bags Groove (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
Classic Tune 50-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, driven to chase leaders 3 out, one pace when not fluent next, well held when mistake last, 6th of 9, 25l behind Younevercall (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 5f (4) gs in Apr.
Like The Sound (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Made all, kept on well from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec beating Longtown (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Milzipa (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along over 4f out, 5th and one pace final 2f, 5th of 8, 9l behind The Mighty Don (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f (6) gd in Nov.
Savoy Court (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) With leader, lost place after 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 14, dist behind Peak To Peak (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Thomas Shelby (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 6th, 4th when hit 2 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 8 1/4l behind Perfect Pirate (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Zamparelli (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Not fluent 1st, always in rear, tailed off, 6th of 8, 29 1/4l behind Ballymalin (11-12) at Kempton 3m (3) gs in Jan.
