pressed leader, led after 1st until after 3rd, chased winner who went clear after next, lost 2nd 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
held up in 5th, closer 4 out, 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with 1st 2, mistake last
last pair, awkward 2nd, never a factor, tailed off
mostly in rear, never a factor
slight lead until after 1st, pressed leader, in front again after 3rd, raced keenly and went clear after next, reduced lead before 2 out, ridden and joined last, edged left and driven out
off the pace in 4th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next
never fluent, off the pace in 6th, awkward 2nd, mistake 4th, plugged on in modest 4th before 2 out
chased leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, pushed along and closer before 2 out, upsides and every chance when flattened last, kept on same pace run-in
Christmas In Usa returned a clear winner at Ayr recently but carries 6lb extra and that was his first success over timber in 25 attempts. The less-exposed CAPTAIN KURT is preferred now handicapping having placed in maiden company at Kelso last time given this doesn’t look the strongest of contests. Emissaire failed to figure at Newcastle on his handicap bow but Pads has slipped down the weights and finished closer over these hurdles recently.
Emissaire (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden 3 out, blundered next, never on terms, 7th of 10, 18l behind Empire De Maulde (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Captain Kurt 100-1 (10-12) In touch on outside, challenged 4 out until after next, soon ridden, well held from 2 out, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 10 1/2l behind Mighty Thunder (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Rafferty (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Man Of The North (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Pads (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, hampered 5th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, no extra approaching last, 5th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Mance Rayder (12-0) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Christmas In Usa (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Led 2nd, made rest, 5 lengths clear 3 out, easily, won at Ayr 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb beating Our Jerry (11-2) by 7l, 11 ran.
Infiniti (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Brecon Hill (11-11) at Leicester 2m (3) gd in Jan.
Byronegetonefree 9-1 (9-7) Dwelt, soon with leader, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, dist behind Hallstatt (10-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Cyrano Star (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, weakened before 3 out, pulled up after next, at Ayr 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
