settled in rear but in touch, headway 4 out, weakened next, modest 4th
always prominent, driven 4 out, kept on under pressure, not pace to challenge
made all, drew clear 3 out, stayed on strongly (2 hurdles omitted)
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, rallied 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, took closer order 4 out, effort in 3rd when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, soon in rear, slow 5th, weakened 3 out
This is a tricky opener as Uttoxeter winner The Jitterbug is clearly on a steep upward curve and Young Buck could be anything. A winner between the flags just over a year ago, the latter is a half-brother to five winners and now runs in the colours of the Stewart family. ECLAIR SURF also won a point last year and looked a smart recruit to hurdling here in November when sauntering clear, despite showing signs of inexperience. A step up to Grade 1 company in the Challow came too soon and he was beaten when falling but he still has time on his side. Getaround has won a point and a bumper and is also interesting while Second Captain showed promise at Chepstow in a race that’s worked out well.
Eclair Surf (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, closer on outside 4th, weakened quickly before 3 out where fell, at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
The Jitterbug 9-2 (11-2) With leaders, led approaching 3 out, shaken up before 2 out, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) hvy in Feb beating Lies About Milan (11-2) by 8 1/2l, 7 ran.
Getaround (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leader 4f, chased leaders, 2nd again 7f out until pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 9, 24 1/4l behind Ocean Wind (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gd in Feb.
Second Captain (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway after 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Jepeck (11-5) at Chepstow 3m (4) sft in Dec.
Young Buck (IRE) 9-4 (12-2) Ld, slw jmp 5th, 2l adv 1/2way, wo 3out, kow frm 2out, 5l adv when sl mstk last, sow to line, in command, won at Nenagh 3m mdn Yielding in Feb beating Jack Hackett (12-2) by 5l, 9 ran.
Janeslittlevoice 100-1 (10-5) Held up, some progress approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 7, 23 1/2l behind Blackjack Kentucky (10-12) at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Jan.
