held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
held up in rear, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, pushed along after 7th, weakened next
with winner, pushed along 8th, weakened 5 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from next, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, led from 1st, kept on well from last
always behind, blundered 4 out, pulled up soon after
chased leaders, lost place 9th
in touch, chased leaders approaching 8th, chased winner approaching 9th until approaching 3 out, no impression approaching last
held up behind, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 1st, in touchy, blundered 10th when weakened tailed when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, unseated rider 2nd
held up and keen, weakened from 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Crathorne, Iron Man and Lankawi are the likely lads here, with Crathorne, who showed he handles all types of surface last time, taken to continue his winning run. Lankawi has taken well to fences, and after completing a hat-trick, he was a good second in the Betfair Handicap Chase at Aintree, before finishing second at Perth. He has been given a break since then, and he will be a threat to all. Iron Man lost his way for a while before coming back to form on his last two starts, with a recent win at Stratford underlining his well being. He has gone up eight pounds, but with his confidence restored he can acquit himself well, although this more competitive event looks a tough assignment. Crathorne took a couple of small contests at Hexham, before completing his hat-trick with a smooth win at Uttoxeter. He is taking on some experienced types here, but he may be under-estimated and can score again.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Dempsey (11-6) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Ground Ball (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 10th (Becher's), pushed along approaching 2 out, effort approaching last, one paced flat, 4th of 29, 10l behind Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Led to 10th, raced in 2nd from 12th to 20th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 37l behind Kock De La Vesvre (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) hvy.
Take The Stand (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led to after 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 7, 46l behind Hill Forts Timmy (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jun.
Lankawi Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, ridden last, headed no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Caribou (10-13) at Perth 3m nov chs (2) sft in Apr.
It Takes Time (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, challenged 3 out, led next, headed near finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind King Of The Arctic (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jun.
Iron Man (FR) 13-2 (11-6) In touch, led 12th, ridden 3 out, withstood challenge from 2 out, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May beating Pak Jack (11-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, driven and kept on under pressure run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr '06 beating Escompteur (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tommy Spar 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, faded approaching last, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Iron Man (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May.
Tango Royal (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 10th, headed 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind King Of The Arctic (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jun.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held-up, headway after 6th, challenged approaching 2 out, led last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Green Finger (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May.
Little Big Horse (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led to 10th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 5l behind King Of The Arctic (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jun.
Handy Money 3-1 (11-12) Raced in 3rd, left 5 lengths 2nd at 7th, closed up 9th, hit 12th, in 3rd when hit 2 out, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Idris (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Made In Montot (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and beaten approaching 2 out, rallied to press for 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 13l behind Magic Sky (10-12) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Crathorne (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs beating Bagan (11-4) by 3l, 7 ran.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, joined leader 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 8, 35l behind Herecomestanley (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
