behind, headway to modest 5th 4 out, went 4th and mistake next, went 3rd 2 out, hit last, never any chance with leading pair
held up in mid-division, steady headway 5th, chased leaders 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, upsides when mistake 3 out, went left next, went left again last, stayed on gamely to lead final 75 yards
led until hit 4 out and ridden, soon dropped to 3rd, no chance with leading pair when blundered and lost 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
raced wide in touch, headway to chase leading pair from 5th, ridden before 7th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
behind, not fluent 2nd, some headway after 5th, soon pushed along, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
chased leader until 3rd, stayed chasing leaders, pushed along before 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off
chased leaders, challenged from 8th, led 4 out, joined when blundered 3 out, driven before next, headed and no extra final 75 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 5th, chased leaders until weakened under pressure before 2 out
behind, plugged on from 3 out, went modest 5th close home, never any chance
dropped to rear after 5th, tailed off and eased from before 4 out
always in rear, tailed off
Shooters Wood and Mibleu filled the places behind Lucy's Legend at Kempton nine days ago and have to go on the short-list here. Alazan was backed off the boards on his chase debut at Uttoxeter but was let down by his jumping and may lack the experience for a contest of this nature. Christopher Wren also needs to improve on what he's shown so far over the larger obstacles and Eastlake has rather lost his way. Worcester winner Royale's Charter will be a threat to all, however, if he's turned the corner and Up To The Mark could figure if fully wound-up. QOUBILAI also returns from a break but was a very progressive novice in the spring and still has plenty of scope. He could worth an interest in this grade.
Alazan (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Pressed leader, led before 2nd, headed 4 out, soon switched right, left in lead next, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind An Capall Mor (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Royale's Charter 5-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped left at times, went 2nd after 9th, challenged 4 out, led next, switched right approaching last, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug beating Bobowen (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Qoubilai (FR) 9-4fav (10-1) Narrow lead, mistake 2nd, went right 7th, ridden and headed 10th, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 12l behind Doeslessthanme (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Eastlake (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Led, headed 5th, led again after 7th, headed approaching 4 out, weaakened from next, 9th of 12, 42l behind Alvarado (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Christopher Wren (USA) 18-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hampered 6th, mistake 9th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 21l behind Creekside (10-7) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gf.
Up To The Mark 15-2 (11-0) Led until before 2nd, led 5th, headed 7th, weakened last, 6th of 13, 17l behind Spock (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Shooters Wood (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Led 2nd, headed next, soon led again, jumped left 4th and 5th, headed 8th, led again 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Lucy's Legend (11-1) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Mibleu (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, mistake 1st, headway after 8th, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Lucy's Legend (11-1) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Tarkari (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Adelar (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, reminders before 7th, weakened 10th, 6th of 7, well behind Carleton Place (10-1) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Black Phantom (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Went right 1st, chased leaders, lost place and reminder after 7th, lost touch 9th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Knapp Bridge Boy (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 9 ran.
