chased leaders, not fluent and dropped rear 6th, not going well after, blundered and weakened 11th, blundered next, tailed off
jumped right, led, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 12th, slightly outpaced after 14th, rallied approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear before last, eased towards finish
chased leader, close up when hampered and lost 2nd 4 out, beaten 3 out, hanging left when weakening after 2 out
held up, raced keenly, headway after 5th, hit 11th and struggling, hit 13th, rallied next, no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd after 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last
THAI VANGO is taken to get the better of Jaunty Times and Categorical. The selection has performed consistently since his attention was switched to chasing from hurdling but his recent win at Market Rasen was his first in five attempts. A 7lb rise in the weights demands further improvement but he was good value for the winning margin and is capable of following up. Jaunty Times has contested some top races during his career and ran well on his sole start this year in the spring but his lack of racing raises a slight doubt about whether he's still capable of performing to those levels and he may need the run. Categorical is an infrequent winner but has enough form to his name to merit consideration whilst Sir Bathwick is worthy of close attention as he makes his debut for a new yard. Catch The Perk and Sparkling Taff were both well held when last in action which dents confidence in their chances as we look to last time out winner Thai Vango to score again.
Jaunty Times 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, reminder after 9th, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Roulez Cool (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leader, left in lead 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, well behind Borora (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 12th, soon outpaced, 5th of 6, 22l behind Ripalong Lad (10-13) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Sparkling Taff 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, 42l behind I'm Your Man (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Categorical 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 8th, chased leading pair 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 10l behind I'm Your Man (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Thai Vango (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Led, headed 4th, chased leader, led again approaching 3 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep beating Sarahs Gift (10-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
