led until before 2nd, chased winner, not fluent 2 out, no impression before next
tracked leader, led before 2nd, ridden approaching last, clear flat, stayed on well
in rear, outpaced after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
held up, took keen hold, headway 2 out, soon went 3rd, carried left and not fluent last, one pace flat
tracked leaders, jumped left 2nd, switched right before 2 out, soon went 2nd, went left and mistake last, no impression on winner flat
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, mistake next, closed 6th, weakened 2 out
Charlemar, denied a run yesterday at Exeter, made a winning start over hurdles at Chepstow but has to carry a penalty. Good Tradition has his first run for Donald McCain having won a Kilbeggan maiden in August and is conceding weight all round. MINOTAUR (NAP) could be a smart recruit as he had a terrific strike-rate on the Flat in France and won a Listed contest at Craon in September. Bought for €350,000 by J P McManus last month, connections will be disappointed if he doesn't make an immediate impact. Banditry shaped with promise at Ascot on his NH debut and this four-times Flat winner should find a race sooner rather than later.
Good Tradition (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Raced in rear, went moderate 4th before 2 out and soon pushed along, further progress into 3rd and improved to challenge on outer before last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn gd in Aug beating Holy Water (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Charlemar (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen, headway before 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led after last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Orchard Park (11-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Atlantic Storm (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Apasionado (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Banditry (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, shuffled back on bend after 3 out, tried to rally 2 out, disputing modest 4th between last 2, no extra in 5th run-in, 5th of 8, 11l behind Thomas Campbell (11-5) at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Minotaur (IRE) (9-3) won at Craon 1m 4f lst gs in Sep beating Saane (9-3) by 4l, 9 ran.
Time Of My Life (GER) 17-2 (9-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 20l behind Nietzsche (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in Sep.