tracked winner, every chance 4 out, not fluent next, beaten 2 out, no extra last
tracked leaders, ridden before 9th, outpaced 11th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 7th, lost place next, eased and pulled up before 10th
held up, jumped right 1st, headway 6th, hit 10th, ridden next, not fluent 12th, driven to chase winner before 2 out, jumped right and not fluent last, no impression flat
tracking leaders until not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 4th, ridden after 7th, behind 9th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, closed 5th, not fluent 9th, ridden when hit 12th, weakened 3 out
made all, jumped right last 2, ridden clear flat
Chase Gate has only been raised 4lb for last month's course and distance victory and must have every chance of a follow-up but we'll take the penalised FOREVER MY FRIEND to complete a quick hat-trick. His yard is in terrific form and he never looked in danger of defeat up the home straight at Ffos Las last Thursday. Ice Cool Benny tries his luck in a handicap after a second in a hunter chase at Worcester last month but may come up short while Smooth Classic was tailed off at Towcester last time after finishing second at Uttoxeter. Autumm Spirit needs to improve on her second at Towcester to figure here.
Smooth Classic (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 4th, 6th or 8th, headway 13th, challenged 4 out, no extra 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Bishophill Jack (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Autumm Spirit 16-1 (11-2) Tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, every chance before last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Papradon (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Cottage Acre (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders in 5th on outside, ridden when went right 4 out and next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 18l behind Brody Bleu (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left in lead after 4 out, clear and not fluent last, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Jamesson (11-3) by 7l, 5 ran.
Ice Cool Benny (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 9th, chased (clear) winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Stone (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hts chs (6) gd in May.
Chase Gate 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, went 2nd from 11th, led 2 out, ridden before last, held on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May beating Cruchain (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Wait No More (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden 5 out, one pace and no impression from 4 out, 4th of 13, 13l behind Lemon's Gent (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May.
