tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and stayed on well flat
chased leader, led 5th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, going well approaching 2 out, 5 lengths 3rd and held when blundered last
prominent, mistake 1st, went 2nd after 5th, every chance when blundered 3 out, weakened after 2 out, mistake last
held up, pushed along approaching 7th, never on terms
mistake 1st, always in rear, lost touch after 7th
Nonrunner
Crathorne sets a decent standard here having won his second novices' chase when successful at Hexham last month but Martin Todhunter's gelding may struggle to concede weight away all round and preference is for Bagan, with Vintage Gold rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was a one time useful performer on the flat for Henry Cecil and showed decent form as a novice over hurdles prior to missing out the last two seasons. Now switched to fences, Charlie Mann's gelding has shown solid form and should appreciate the drop back in distance to two miles. David Pipe's Cantgeton has ability but has been disappointing so far this term and may now be best watched, while the consistent Carthys Cross may again have to settle for a minor role. Jonjo O'Neill's Vintage Gold had to work hard to win at Towcester last time and has to be respected but he is another that may struggle under his penalty and preference is for Bagan.
Crathorne (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly run-in to lead near finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jun beating Irish Wolf (11-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
Bagan (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up, hit 1st, jumped right 10th, headway 11th, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 12l behind Great Character (10-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Vintage Gold (USA) 11-4 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, went close 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out flat, won at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jun beating Albarino (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Be Positive 8-1 (11-9) Blundered 1st and 2nd, always in rear, 9th of 15, 31l behind Beehawk (11-6) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Cantgeton (IRE) 85-40fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, chased winner from 10th, weakened after 2f, 5th of 16, 40l behind Genghis (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Double Mystery (FR) 50-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 5th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 23l behind Mr Tim (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f amt sll hcp hdl (5) sft in Jun.
Iris's Dream 5-2 (12-0) Led til hdd aft 11; lft in ld nxt; hdd aft 4 out; fin exhaust, 4th of 8, 26l behind Young Rocky (12-0) at Kingston Blount 2m 4f ptp gd in May.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Held up last, headway 8th, ridden to challenge last, switched right flat, not quicken, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Tavalu (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Jun.
