close up, chased leader 7th until 4 out, soon ridden and weakened next
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace
held up, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out
in touch, chased leader 3rd until 7th, mistake 11th, ridden to chase leader again 4 out, every chance between last 2, not pace of winner flat
held up towards rear, smooth headway 4 out, jumped well to lead 2 out, ran on flat
chased leader until 3rd, remained close up, lost place and dropped to rear 12th, ridden and some headway 14th, weakened 3 out
This looks a pretty decent Hunter's Chase despite a small field with COAT OF HONOUR and Care and Share looking the two most likely and we side with the former, Inaro is also considered. The pick is the highest rated and was a winner last time out over course and distance albeit in three runner race. That performance was after over a year off so he should have more to come and his form in listed company sets a good standard. Care and Share has plenty to find on the pick according to the official ratings but Jonjo O'Neil's gelding put in a decent performance in one of these at Ascot last time out and looked to benefit for the quicker ground on that occasion so he should handle this surface just fine. Inaro wasn't quite ready for his reappearance last time but his form from last season has him in the mix here as long as he's fitter. Kadount and Twenty Degrees should also be respected with some fair form supporting their chances but this time the vote belongs to Coat Of Honour.
Inaro (IRE) 15-2 (12-1) Prominent, raced keenly, mistake 7th, blundered badly 9th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Armoury House (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Kadount (FR) 3-1 (12-7) Prom til wknd qckly aft 15; pu 2 out, in a race won by Where's My Baby (12-0) at Fakenham Points 3m ptp in Apr, 10 ran.
Twenty Degrees 14-1 (11-13) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, soon in touch, weakened under pressure before 2 out, 4th of 17, 20l behind Rowdy Yeats (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Coat of Honour (USA) 7-4 (11-5) Chased leader, mistake 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon led, ran on flat, won at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Yann's (11-12) by 2l, 3 ran.
Care And Share (IRE) 4-1 (12-6) Held up in rear, blundered 11th, steady headway next, went 3rd 4 out, challenged from 2 out, ridden and upsides last, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Whizzaar (11-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Ten Horse Power (IRE) (12-0) Ap; led aft 11; clr 3 out; v easy, won at Catsfield 3m ptp in Apr beating Balooba (12-0) by 30l, 4 ran.
