held up in touch, left 2nd 5th, pushed along and lost 2nd after 15th, left poor 2nd 2 out
led, clear when reminder after 14th, niggled along and 1 length ahead when wandered and unseated rider 2 out
chased leader 2nd until blundered and unseated rider 5th
chased leader to 2nd, niggled along 9th, soon struggling, rallied to chase leader after 15th, ridden after 4 out, staying on and 1 length down when left clear 2 out
Band Of Blood won the veterans’ chase on this card two years ago. Mustmeetalady is also a previous course winner but was tailed off when third at Wincanton. Paul Nicholls sent out last year’s winner but Captain Cattistock has been a beaten favourite three times in a row, though is much younger than his three rivals. Former stablemate JUST A PAR is not the force of old but did place on the Bangor points course last month and could be a bit of value if that has blown away a few cobwebs.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 7-1 (12-6) Chased leaders, mistake, lost place and reminder 6th, headway 12th, outpaced 13th, behind 16th, soon pulled up, at Musselburgh 3m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Captain Cattistock 6-5fav (12-6) With leader, tracked leaders in 3rd place, chased winner from 3 out until last, no extra last 75 yards, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f (6) sft in Jan.
Mustmeetalady (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Led to 5th, weakened before 5 out, 3rd of 6, dist behind Virak (12-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f (6) sft in Jan.
Just A Par (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) (bl) prom; led 13 til hdd aft 2 out; nt r.o, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Crest (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee 3m hvy in Jan.