held up in rear, rapid headway to join leader on outside after 5th, led before next, headed narrowly turning in, led again when mistake 2 out, soon clear, driven out, easily
tracked leader to after 5th, close up in 3rd, driven to lead narrowly turning in, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with easy winner between last 2, plugged on
held up in 4th, behind and pushed along after 6th, ridden after 3 out, plugged on to take remote 3rd closing stages, no chance with leaders
led to before 6th, close up, driven to lead again briefly turning in, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, driven to chase front pair before 2 out, soon ridden, never able to challenge, weakened flat
Captain Zebo was unbeaten in three runs for John Dixon last season. Two of his victories came round here and he goes well fresh so it will be a surprise if he doesn’t perform with credit but TEESCOMPONENTS LAD won this last year and returned to winning ways recently at Catterick under Brian Hughes so is taken to complete the double. Taxmeifyoucan has won twice this season and is not out of this, though is possibly still a couple of pounds too high. Eureu Du Boulay is preferred to Serious Ego of the others, though is possibly better over fences.
Captain Zebo (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, carried left 6th and 3 out, led before 2 out, drawing clear when left well clear last, stayed on, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Mar beating Pogue (11-0) by 27l, 7 ran.
Teescomponents Lad 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, challenged going well after 3 out, led before next, shaken up between last 2, ridden out flat, stayed on, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Mamoo (10-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, well beaten from next, 6th of 7, 32 3/4l behind Perfect Man (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Eureu Du Boulay (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hampered 2nd, ridden 12th, struggling before 3 out, 6th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Cap Du Nord (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Serious Ego (GER) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along and slightly outpaced after 4 out, ridden and rallied approaching last, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Le Ligerien (12-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
