tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on (no time taken)
led, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
held up in 3rd, ridden and outpaced final 2f
Captain Moonman beat the useful Mount Benbulben in an Irish point-to-point just over a year ago but hardly picked his feet up on his hurdling debut at Plumpton in December. Smart Act will need to improve on what he's shown to date and should do better when tackling fences. Ophelia's Kiss gained a shock victory over timber at Hereford having shown nothing previously and she's rated 30lb below SIR TANTALLUS HAWK, who has competed at a much higher level. He ran poorly at Haydock last time but this looks a good opportunity. Vinomore, who comfortably landed a novice hurdle at Worcester after landing a bumper there, finished last in a better race at Kempton on Friday and may not have recovered.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 14-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden and lost touch from 3rd, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Smart Act (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3rd, pushed along before next, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Diamond D'amour (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Ophelia's Kiss 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led when not fluent 3 out, 3 lengths ahead last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan beating Budva (10-5) by 7l, 11 ran.
Captain Moonman (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, weakened before next, 4th of 13, 40l behind Ohio Gold (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Vinomore 9-4fav (10-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Big Robert (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
