keen prominent, ridden 15th, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, ridden 12th, some headway 4 out, weakened next
keen raced wide held up, headway to lead before 2nd, soon clear, ridden 3 out, headed flat, lost 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, ridden 12th, never on terms
in touch until lost place 3rd, soon in rear, pecked on landing 13th, pulled up 15th
close up, ridden 3 out, effort approaching last, kept on to go 2nd near finish
close up, chased leader 13th, ridden 3 out, led flat, stayed on gamely
held up, headway 13th, tracked leader 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace flat
led, headed before 2nd, tracked clear leader, ridden when lost place 13th, in rear when blundered 15th
Five of the nine entries in this are previous course winners but Cool Operator and Royal Mackintosh are entitled to need this run having missed the whole of last season while Whats Up Woody only beat one home in this two years ago. Lively Baron won over course and distance in May and remains well treated on his best form. He'll be prominent throughout and must go close but soft ground and a stamina test suits INCENTIVISE. He's travelled up from Herefordshire for this and can return home with the spoils if fully wound up. Ultra Du Chatelet also has conditions in his favour but may be a few pounds too high at present.
Lively Baron (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) In touch, went 2nd from 9th, blundered 12th, ridden before 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May beating Scotswell (11-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Cool Operator 33-1 (9-11) Towards rear, headway before 5 out, went 4th before 4 out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 24, 18l behind Godsmejudge (11-3) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '13.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led, jumped left 1st, headed 3 out, ridden and one pace before last, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Edmund (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in May.
Ultra Du Chatelet (FR) 10-3fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th, blundered 3 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Everaard (10-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in May.
Harris (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along after 4th, tailed off 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th, in a race won by High Ron (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May, 7 ran.
Shouldavboughtgold (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed after 4 out, ridden to lead before last, headed run-in, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 5, shd behind High Ron (11-4) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Incentivise (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Makethe Mostofnow (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb.
Oil Burner 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 36l behind Lively Baron (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May.
Royal Mackintosh 20-1 (11-4) With leaders, reminders and lost place after 10th, tailed off, pulled up, in a race won by Etxalar (11-1) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar '13, 13 ran.
