tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
led to 5th, soon reminders, led again 6th headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 5th, hit and headed 6th, led again before 3 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden to lead run-in, kept on
held up towards rear and keen, headway from 3 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
Captain Brown was conceding 11lb to the runner-up when scoring over 2m1f at Cartmel and was taking on better company at Ayr last time, though he's yet to prove he stays this far. Arthurs Secret, a winner on the Flat at Nottingham in July, started favourite on his debut for Sandy Thomson over this track and trip last month and though never looking likely to win he wasn't beaten far. Jonny Delta rarely runs anywhere else but his only victory over hurdles came at Ayr back in March 2013. Stoneham completed a hat-trick of staying victories on the Flat in the summer but couldn't quite get up over this track and trip last month and has gone up 4lb. Tap Night won this a year ago before competing at a higher level so he has to be respected but Irish raider THEO, a winner at Fairyhouse last month before pulling too hard on a return visit, is taken to make his journey pay off.
Teo Vivo (FR) 10-1 (11-8) In touch, weakened from 12th, 8th of 10, 36l behind Drumlee Lad (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Captain Brown 14-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden before 2 out, headway before last, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 8, 7 3/4l behind Space Ship (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Tap Night (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, modest 6th after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Cooking Fat (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Stoneham 4-1fav (11-11) Held up well in rear, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Smart Ruler (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Arthurs Secret 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 2nd 8th, led 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Clonalig House (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Jonny Delta 9-2 (11-7) Chased clear leading trio, closed 5th, challenged 7th, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace and edged left flat, 3rd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Smart Ruler (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Theo (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders at slow pace, 7th from 3rd, improved to lead after 5th, slight mistake 4 out, joined 3 out where slight mistake, headed between last 2, one pace, 4th of 19, 9 1/4l behind Maighnealta (10-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Green Zone (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 7th, hit next, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Chic Theatre (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
