led, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden when blundered and headed 2 out, not recover and lost 2nd, weakened into 4th last 110 yards
raced keenly, went 2nd after 1st until pushed along before 3 out, weakened 2 out, plugged on under pressure into modest 3rd final 110 yards, no chance with leading duo
held up last, modest 5th before 3 out, never on terms
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led next, slight lead last, ridden and headed run-in, kept on same pace
held up in 5th, headway into close 3rd approaching 3 out, switched right approaching 2 out, 2nd 2 out, soon driven, challenged last, led run-in, driven out
chased leader until after 1st, chased leading pair, not fluent next, pushed along and lost 3rd before 3 out, soon weakened quickly
WORKBENCH has won this for the past two years and a hat-trick beckons for Dan Skelton's eight-year-old, who should now be cherry ripe after a couple of runs. Notarfbad finished ahead of the selection at Worcester last month but is now 10lb worse off and back in the handicapper's grip. The novice Theatre Flame still has time on his side but is up against experienced handicappers here while Purple 'n Gold has turned in a couple of shocking efforts at Stratford since his fourth at Southwell but there are possibilities about Raven's Tower if he's on a going day.
Lord Ben (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased clear leader, left in lead 5th, ridden between last 2, headed approaching last, hung left and kept on same pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Colla Pier (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Notarfbad (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Jumped right, led until 2 out, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 5, 9 1/4l behind Croco Bay (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Raven's Tower (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, in rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd last, no extra flat, 5th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Newton Geronimo (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) In rear, 3rd from 8th until 13th, outpaced 3 out, well beaten next, left 3rd last, 3rd of 6, dist behind Gowanauthat (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Workbench (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up behind, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden to challenge after next, every chance last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Crimson Ark (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Theatre Flame (IRE) 11-10 (11-6) Chased winner, jumped left 1st, not fluent 8th, closed next, jumped left 3 out, soon ridden, held before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Pass The Time (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Sep.
