pressed leader, not fluent 4 out, led before 3 out, clear from next, canter
led, ridden and headed before 3 out, no chance with winner from next
close 3rd until pushed along 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
CAPOTE floored the odds laid on I Need Gold at Catterick on his hurdling debut and looks a promising stayer. Maurice Linehan's claim almost wipes out his penalty and he may have too much for Southwell scorer Walk On Al, though the latter will find this easier than the Grade 2 he contested at Doncaster last time. Ex-pointer Chinatown Boy makes his debut under Rules for Paul Nicholls and can't be ignored but this may be too tough for Wincanton winner Saint Breiz, though the longer trip shouldn't be a problem.
Capote (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, taken very wide down back straight, ridden and every chance 2 out, led next, stayed on strongly, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating I Need Gold (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Saint Breiz (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along and staying on when left 2nd 2 out, 1 length down last, pushed along to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Carry On Sydney (11-0) by 2l, 15 ran.
Chinatown Boy (IRE) 6-4 (11-7) Hdwy 7; chsd wnr 4 out; no ex 2 out, 2nd of 14, 12l behind Virtuoso Rouge (10-7) at Berkeley 3m ptp gs in Apr.
Walk On Al (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on leading pair, 4th of 7, 13l behind Urban Hymn (11-10) at Doncaster 3m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
