tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 6th, chased winner before last, kept on and no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, one pace
in touch in 4th, went 3rd and not fluent 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last
with leader, pushed along before 6th, weakened before 3 out
behind, soon mid-division in 5th, mistake and unseated rider 4 out
in rear, mistake 1st and 2nd, never dangerous
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, in a poor 4th from 2 out, no impression
behind, jumped left 3rd, one pace before 2 out, never dangerous
Otago Trail beat subsequent winners in his first two starts over hurdles but couldn't handle the step up in class at Ascot on his latest start. He has to be respected eased in grade here but faces no easy task giving weight to Down Royal winner Drumlee Lad, having his first run for David Pipe, and EARTHMOVES. Something must have been amiss with the latter when he was pulled up last time at Wincanton as he'd run well behind the useful Blue Buttons at that track earlier. Ex-pointer Adam Du Breteau made a promising start under Rules at Wetherby and will know more today.
Otago Trail (IRE) 8-11fav (11-10) Led, hit 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed between last two, headed after last, one pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Thistlecrack (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Drumlee Lad (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Made all, ridden and challenged before last, jumped left last, veered left and kept on run-in, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Shanliss (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Earthmoves (FR) 15-8fav (11-3) Held up, headway chasing leaders 4th, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling, behind and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shammick Boy (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Adam du Breteau (FR) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 9, 20l behind Kylemore Lough (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.
Captain Probus (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced in 4th 3 out, weakened into 5th before the last, 5th of 12, 38l behind It's A Close Call (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
Kavanaghs Corner (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, well beaten after 3 out, jumped right 2 out, 7th of 9, 33l behind Hedley Lamarr (11-1) at Warwick 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Knight Ofthe Realm 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, well beaten before 3 out, passed some tired rivals latter stages, 6th of 16, well behind War Sound (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Whiskey John 50-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, took keen hold, lost place before 2nd, soon given reminder, mistake 3rd, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up after, in a race won by War Sound (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
