close up, led 5th, made rest, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
held up, pushed along 5 out outpaced from next
held up, chased leaders 4 out, jumped left next, one pace and no impression when blundered 2 out
led to 5th, chased winner, effort 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, headway 4 out, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
with leaders, outpaced 4 out, carried left next, ridden and no impression when hit last
Coat Of Honour was arguably the best of these over hurdles and, assuming that his jumping holds up this time, he is expected have a touch too much class for Steppes Of Gold and Show Me The River. The last named showed ability when winning a bumper in Ireland for Tony Mullins at the start of this year. However, his size meant that he was not the most fluent of hurdlers and he struggled to get his act together as last season progressed. The switch to Ferdy Murphy's yard may be the making of him now that he is being sent over fences and he is very much a long-term prospect. Steppes Of Gold also showed plenty of promise early in his career and went into many notebooks when he finished a close up fifth in a Grade Two hurdle at Aintree last April. However, he has been far from convincing since he joined Jonjo O'Neill and his tendency to hang to his left has to be a concern. The eight-year-old's proximity to Le Volfoni at Chepstow from earlier in the month flatters him at this stage. And he comes here with something to prove. In truth, so does Coat Of Honour, who made a typical error for a novice when he fell on his chasing debut at Market Rasen in October. However, Howard Johnson is sure to have schooled him well at home since then and he is expected to put in a more accomplished display this afternoon. The son of Mark Of Esteem is versatile regarding the ground and is given the benefit of the doubt in this company. Perfect Punch hails from a yard that does very well at Wetherby and he looks the best of the remainder. However, he was almost 30lbs inferior to Coat Of Honour on the Flat and it will be a big surprise if he is good enough to overhaul the mount of Graham Lee.
Coat of Honour (USA) 11-4 (11-4) Chased winner, ridden to go 2nd when fell 3 out in race won by Hoo La Baloo (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov chs (C) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Jerom de Vindecy (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Turpin Green (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Perfect Punch 20-1 (11-5) In rear, mistake 6th, soon lost touch, 7th of 8, 36l behind Amarula Ridge (10-8) at Doncaster 2m mdn chs (D) gd.
Show Me The River 15-8fav (11-0) Towards rear, headway 12th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, blundered 3 out, weakened, 4th of 8, well behind Capybara (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f mdn chs (F) sft in Nov.
Steppes of Gold (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, hung left from 5 out, went 2nd approaching last but always held, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Le Volfoni (10-7) at Chepstow 2m beg chs (D) hvy.
Vanormix (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Keepers Mead (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft, 14 ran.
Valeureux 25-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, last of 10, 45l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
