made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, driven out
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra when lost 2nd place towards finish
prominent, mistake 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, went 3rd approaching next, soon ridden, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
always in rear, never dangerous
held up in touch, raced keen, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked winner until weakened after 4 out
PERFECT REWARD made a winning debut for Gary Moore when making romping home at Fontwell and he can follow up here from Tar, Cantabilly and Jordan's Light who are expected to have a private battle for second. Our selection was well backed to score last time and although the 52 length margin of victory must be viewed with caution - the second horse ran poorly and his closest rival fell when in contention - there's no doubt that this gelding remains capable of ranking higher than this grade. When trained in Ireland he gave the smart Sesenta a real race, so of these he appeals as the one most likely to improve beyond his current rating, one which already gives him leading claims. If the figures are to be trusted then Cantabilly would just about be the one to beat, but Ron Hodges' runner hasn't been in the winners' enclosure since 2007 and may be playing for second. That battle may be closer than the one for first with Tar not to be discounted following a fair run on the flat last time, although he remains a maiden after 21 starts, whilst the booking of AP McCoy aboard Jordan's Light suggests connections hope for a big run. Of the trio it's the last named that makes most appeal for the forecast spot but with Kirkhammerton exposed as modest with a rating of 96, No More Favours making his hurdle debut having shown nothing in bumpers and Pembo having fallen at the first when trying this game for the first time there should only be four that count and one that wins; Perfect Reward gets the strong vote.
Perfect Reward 5-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, close up when left in lead 3 out, soon clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gs in Mar beating Helen Wood (10-5) by well, 6 ran.
Cantabilly (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, pushed along before 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 12, 34l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Jordan's Light (USA) 11-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, fell 2 out, in a race won by Maximix (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway after 3rd, weakening when jumped slowly 5th, 9th of 11, 44l behind Nono Le Sage (9-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Pembo 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear when fell 1st, in a race won by William's Wishes (11-6) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov stks (4) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
The Wily Woodcock 100-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in rear, lost touch after 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up after, in a race won by Bundle Up (10-9) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
No More Favours 40-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, left closer over 13f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Cresswell Crusader (10-12) at Chepstow 2m cond & am NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Tar (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Beautiful Vision (11-3) at Ludlow 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Feb.
