jumped well, raced keenly, made all, clear after 2nd until 3 out, ridden and pressed between last two, forged clear from last, stayed on strongly, driven out
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, pushed along and lost place after 4th, behind and never on terms after, weakened 3 out, mistake next
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to challenge and hung right between last two, held last, one pace and no impression when hung left run-in, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked (clear) winner until pushed along after 3 out, chased leading pair until 2 out, weakened between last two
took keen hold, held up in touch in last pair, not fluent 4 out, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, mistake and beaten next
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
Nicky Henderson holds a strong hand again in a race he’s won twice in the last five years. Lough Derg Spirit was a very easy winner on his hurdles bow at Kempton and could be anything while Thomas Campbell is two from two over timber, including one victory over course and distance. Capitaine looks up against it, however, having failed to justify favouritism in a Listed hurdle at Haydock last month while Blue Surf was only workmanlike in getting off the mark in a maiden at Plumpton. Captain Forez ran well at Newbury three weeks ago but that form is sending out mixed messages. KEEP IN LINE would have finished close up in this grade at Cheltenham last month with a clear run. He’d won his two previous starts and may be worth another chance – his yard won this last year.
Capitaine (FR) Evensfav (11-8) In rear and in touch, took keen hold, ridden to chase winner from last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Tahira (10-13) at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Thomas Campbell 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, 2nd after 3 out until next, ridden between last 2, led soon after last, came clear run-in, won at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov beating Criq Rock (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Keep In Line (GER) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in touch in rear, closed 3 out, hampered on stands rail before last, soon switched left, went left at hurdle, hung left and kept on flat, unable to challenge, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Moon Racer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Jumped well, led 2nd, made rest, came clear from 2 out, easily, won at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Coup De Pinceau (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Blue Surf 9-4 (11-0) In touch main group, went 2nd behind clear leader 6th, close up 3 out, led when went left next, joined last, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Djarkalin (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Captain Forez (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed before last, no extra run-in, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Jenkins (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
