chased leader until before 4th, went 2nd again after 4th, led before 2 out, strongly pressed when mistake last, soon headed, dropped to 3rd and one pace flat
chased leaders, weakened 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off when blundered and sprawled badly 2 out
took keen hold and held up in rear, reminders after 4th, losing touch when mistake next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and hung left from 2 out, went poor 4th before went left and unseated rider last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, driven to challenge last, led soon after, stayed on well, ridden out
took keen hold, made most until headed before 2 out, lost 2nd soon after 2 out, soon weakened, left poor 4th and blundered last
took keen hold tracking leading pair, went 2nd before 4th until awkward 4th, chased leading pair until 3 out, soon beaten, left poor 5th and hampered last
held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 5th
chased leaders, went left 3rd, stayed on to 2nd flat, driven and stayed on same pace
PLEASANT COMPANY was far from disgraced in a better race at Ascot in December. He's been given plenty of time to recover and can add a hurdles victory to his portfolio which already includes wins in a point-to-point and a bumper. Sun Wild Life arrives off the back of a decent run at Kempton having only lost out by half-a-length at Fontwell on his hurdles bow. Five of Cool George's career starts have been here and he was only beaten a length-and-a-quarter over track and trip last month while three-times points winner was second on his hurdling debut at Taunton and can improve.
Cool George 3-1 (10-9) Close up, led from 3rd, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Knight Of Noir (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Exmoor Challenge 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, well beaten from after 6th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Toubeera (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Hot Pepper 100-1 (11-4) In touch until 6th, 11th of 14, well behind Arthur's Oak (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Know More Oats (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders and weakened from 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Royal Player (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Liberty One (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, some headway from next, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Milo Man (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led until 1st, led again before 3rd, ridden and headed well before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd and no chance with leading duo, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Royal Boy (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Rafafie 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, reminders before 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 15, well behind Royal Player (11-0) at Exeter 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Sand Artist (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Cole Harden (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sun Wild Life (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Led, dived at 4 out, headed 3 out, lost 2nd well before next, outpaced approaching 2 out, plugged on to modest 4th between last 2, 4th of 8, 16l behind Goodwood Mirage (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Jan.
