led, headed approaching last, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well
held up in rear, hit 2nd, mistake next, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, lost place before 2 out, tailed off
behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
held up in touch, mistakes 6th and 7th, under pressure after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in touch, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
DUKE DEBARRY has every chance on these terms back in novice company. Nicky Henderson’s charge went very close at Haydock in December, with a subsequent winner behind, and is preferred to Teescomponents Lad. The latter is penalised for an earlier success att Catterick and Cave Top has accumulated penalties for having won three times over timber so far. The remainder with hurdling experience look up against it but Informateur was placed in a bumper earlier and goes hurdling for the first time.
Cave Top (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 27l behind Clyne (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Teescomponents Lad 5-2 (11-8) Tracked winner, pushed along on long run before last, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Pc Dixon (11-1) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Duke Debarry (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 13, dist behind Buckle Street (11-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Excalibur (POL) 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Lord Napier (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Forth Cave (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Barton Knoll (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Informateur (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 26l behind Black Pirate (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (5) hvy in Feb.
Rajapur 33-1 (11-8) Keen jumped awkwardly at times, close up, joined winner 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, 36l behind Allfredandnobell (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Royal Summit 100-1 (11-2) Never nearer than mid-division, pushed along towards rear and struggling after 7th, tailed off when went right 2 out, soon pulled up, at Kelso 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
