held up in 6th, reminders and struggling before 11th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
led until 2nd, led again next until 4th, hit 8th, chased leader until ridden before 2 out, 2nd again run-in, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
never that fluent in rear, plugged on in modest 3rd run-in, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, never troubled leaders after, plugged on run-in
raced wide, chased leaders, weakened 12th
pressed leader, led 2nd until next, led again 4th, headed before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened badly run-in
jumped well, held up in 5th on inside, closer at 10th, smooth headway in 3rd before 3 out, led before next, clear between last 2, easily
Paul Nicholls trained last year’s winner but Captain Buck's appears to have gone backwards since placed efforts around the turn of the year. Utility was useful over hurdles when in the right frame of mind and Watcombe Heights has an excellent record around here and could be a danger if he takes to fences. Bandsman made an impressive debut over the larger obstacles at Kempton but has to defy a 12lb higher mark today. We’ll take a chance on CARLOS DU FRUITIER, often frustrating over hurdles but undoubtedly talented. He has been placed in a point so the switch to chasing shouldn’t be a problem and he can compete off his hurdles mark. Braavos has yet to impress over fences and may need more time while Wolfcatcher doesn’t have a chasing pedigree.
Utility (GER) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden 5th, never involved, 7th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Mister Universum (10-6) at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Bandsman Evensfav (11-11) Mistake and stumbled 1st, tracked leader 3rd, left in clear lead before 3 out, clear soon after, easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May beating Monar Rose (11-6) by 12l, 6 ran.
Carlos Du Fruitier (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway when mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Captain Buck's (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went close 3rd after 8th, hit 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Step Back (10-12) at Fakenham 3m (4) gs in Apr.
Watcombe Heights (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Global Thrill (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Braavos 4-1 (10-12) Jumped left and a little slow at times, raced in last, went 3rd 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 24l behind Indian Hawk (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f (2) gd in May.
Wolfcatcher (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) In touch, effort after 3 out, hampered next, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Rothman (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
