not fluent, in rear, behind from 10th
held up, fell 5th
tracked leaders, led 14th, clear 3 out, ridden next, headed bend approaching last, soon one pace
with leader, led 13th, headed next, chased leader, ridden to lead bend approaching last, ran on
reluctant to start, behind, joined field in rear 4th, went 3rd 9th, outpaced next, rallied to go 3rd 2 out, no impression after
led, headed 13th soon ridden, weakened 2 out, hampered last
mistake 1st, chased leaders, lost place 10th, behind when fell last
COAT OF HONOUR won this last year and he can see off Kadount and Scotland Yard in this year's renewal. Rhythm is a very important thing for the former Howard Johnson inmate as he needs to get into one quickly in order to win. A largely proficient jumper, he stays three miles on this surface and will give his followers another good account. Kadount narrow failed at Higham though has to be respected as a winner at Fakenham over course-and-distance. Scotland Yard won on the same card and landed odds-on favouritism in convincing fashion. Favourite for this race last year, he will have to have ironed out some of the fencing frailities that became evident during that renewal. Full House had shaped well under rules for Paul Webber a couple of seasons ago. He is not the easiest of rides and will need to have improved on his most recent run between the flags. Picabo Kid and Where's My Baby seem the likely front runners. Not the strongest of Hunters events though Coat Of Honour, if on song, will set a very stiff standard for the rest to live up to.
Coat of Honour (USA) 5-2 (12-7) W wnr til outpcd 13, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Start Royal (12-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Full House (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Pulled hrd; led 3 til hdd app 3 out; sn wknd, 3rd of 5, 27l behind Big Moment (11-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Kadount (FR) 3-1 (12-5) Cl up; ev ch 2 out; no ex flat, 2nd of 4, nk behind Pass The Parsel (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Picabo Kid (USA) 4-7 (12-3) Led to 5 & 8-11; outpcd 13; rallied 2 out; kpt on flat, 2nd of 4, 2l behind The Camerengo (12-0) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Scotland Yard (UAE) 4-6 (11-7) Held up; led 3 out; sn clr, won at Higham 3m ptp gf in Mar beating Winning Counsel (11-0) by 25l, 6 ran.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Always behind, mistake 10th, struggling when blundered and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Mad Victor (11-3) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Where's My Baby (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Led 3; stayed on wl, won at High Easter 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Forget The Ref (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
