chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 3 out jumped right next, driven out
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened and lost 3rd flat
in rear, jumped slowly 7th, soon outpaced, kept on to take moderate 3rd flat, never dangerous
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, ridden approaching next, every chance last, one pace flat
Nonrunner
Vintage Gold, Albarino and King of the Arctic look set to dominate here, and Vintage Gold, who met a useful type last time, is set to return to winning ways. King of the Arctic had been knocking on the door before ending a losing run of a year when scoring here last time. He now saddles top weight, and that, and the fact that he drops back markedly in trip after needing every yard to score last time, may prevent him following up. Albarino has not won for 19 months, but he has finished second on his last four starts. The handicapper is taking no chances though, and has raised him four pounds for his latest effort. Albarino seems to enjoy finishing as the bridesmaid these days, and this competitive affair may well enable him to continue in that vein. Vintage Gold has won over hurdles and in a bumper, and he put some experience over fences to good use when justifying support at Towcester last month. He met a progressive individual at Uttoxeter recently, but Vintage Gold can land his second win in his last three starts.
King Of The Arctic (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed next, soon hard ridden, rallied after last, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jun beating It Takes Time (11-12) by a hd, 6 ran.
Royal Stardust 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, hung left from 2 out, not quicken last, 2nd of 12, 2l behind The Rocking Dock (11-2) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Jun '06.
Dalriath 14-1 (9-8) Led, clear until after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 8, 10l behind Mind How You Go (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jun.
Seeyaaj 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on flat, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Lutea (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Soon led, headed jumped right 8th, weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Forest Green (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) With leader, weakened 8th, mistake next, behind when fell at the last in race won by Forest Green (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Vintage Gold (USA) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, going well approaching 2 out, 5 lengths 3rd and held when blundered last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Crathorne (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, weakened last, 8th of 13, 20l behind Square Mile (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Classic Event (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, outpaced 7th, rallied 3 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 12l behind Lennon (11-12) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Waterspray (AUS) 33-1 (11-11) Led, headed approaching 8th, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 7, well behind Arumun (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Albarino (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway and mistake 5th, led 2 out, headed last and not run on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Colliers Court (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
