raced wide, tracked clear leader and winner, close up 4th, effort to challenge 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, driven and no extra flat
allowed clear lead to 4th, made all, joined 3 out, hard pressed next, narrow advantage when not fluent last, driven and stayed on gamely flat
chased clear leader and winner on inside, close up 4th, driven and outpaced 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last, no impression flat
raced wide, held up mainly in 4th, hit 7th, challenged and every chance 3 out to next, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat
raced wide, held up in rear, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next
The front-running Aikman has a lot more on his plate than when getting off the mark at Musselburgh earlier in the month. Captain Kirkton is an improving sort, however, and deserves this chance in better company having won at Lingfield and Fontwell so far this season. Extremely So has done well for Philip McBride in winning at Folkestone and Leicester, but could be a little out of her depth in this so the two to concentrate on should be Minella Class and PRIDE IN BATTLE. The former is unbeaten over hurdles but the form of his Tolworth Hurdle success has sent out mixed messages and he may not be able to give 8lb to Alan King's gelding, who has shown a nice turn of foot in a couple of wins at Newbury and could be better suited by this relatively easy track.
Minella Class (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, challenged after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven clear from last, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Jan beating Megastar (11-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
Aikman (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Made virtually all, joined 7th, edged right 2 out, drew clear last, well in command flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft beating Rupert Lamb (11-4) by 8l, 6 ran.
Captain Kirkton (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden when pitched on landing last, stayed on well to draw clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs beating Get It On (11-12) by 9l, 13 ran.
Pride In Battle (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Chased leader, challenged approaching 3 out, led before next, went left last, soon clear, idled flat, driven right out, won at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Radetsky March (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Extremely So 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 2nd, jumped left from next, edged left and headed approaching 2 out, left in clear lead soon after 2 out, all out, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Empire Builder (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
