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
led, hanging badly left from after 5th, headed before 2 out, beaten when fell last
chased leader, mistake 1st, not fluent and lost 2nd 3rd, lost place before 6th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
in rear, behind 6th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
in rear, ridden after 4th, well behind 6th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
towards rear, went 4th at the 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, left 3rd last
chased leaders, jumped left and not fluent 5th, weakened after 2 out, left 2nd last
Captain Zebo faces a difficult task carrying a double penalty having won twice at the end of last year including a course and distance success. POGUE is fancied to take advantage of the weight concession given Donald McCain’s grey was beaten less than a length at Kelso at the start of the month when finishing well clear of the rest and is taken to go one better. Ain't My Fault finished runner-up over a shorter trip here in between a couple of poor efforts while Battys Dilemma debuts under Rules having made a winning start between the flags though that was back in 2017.
Captain Zebo (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Raced keenly, in touch, led before 4th, hit and headed narrowly next, mistake 6th, outpaced by front pair after 3 out, rallied after next, led narrowly when hit last, ridden flat, stayed on well final 110 yards, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec beating First Account (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Ain't My Fault (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Disputed lead to before 5th, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Suggestion (11-8) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Battys Dilemma (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Trkd ldrs in 3rd, 6l 3rd aftr a mile, prog aftr 3out & ld aftr 2out, 1l adv last, so flat, won at Ballyvodock 3m mdn sft in Jan beating Marcle Ridge (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Flying Dismount (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, slow 4 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Goldencard (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Moon Rua (IRE) 250-1 (11-2) Prominent on outside, weakened 7th, pulled up before 8th, at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) gs in Mar.
Native Fighter (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division until lost place and reminder 3rd, soon behind, struggling when jumped slowly next, kept on past beaten horses, 6th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Chingachgook (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Pogue (IRE) 10-11fav (11-1) Led, not fluent 1st, headed 2 out, still every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Oleg (10-7) at Kelso 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Dramatic Pause (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakened after next, 10th of 16, dist behind Present Value (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.