mid-division, pushed along 13th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well closing stages, no chance with easy winner
led, jumped left throughout, headed before 14th, soon weakened
tracking leaders when unseated rider 3rd
prominent, hard driven 14th, weakened before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway halfway, lost place 13th, pulled up before 4 out
behind, jumped left 8th, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
held up in touch, joined leader 4th, lost place next, rallied and joined leader again 12th, weakened 5 out
chased leaders, led 5 out, headed before 3 out, no extra closing stages
held up in rear when fell 3rd
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, led before 14th, headed 5 out, led again before 3 out, very easily, unextended
Carlton Ryan is a prolific winner between the flags and showed a resilient attitude to land the two hunter chases he contested last season at Catterick and Leicester. He'll surely go well, as will Cave Hunter. The latter has landed nine of 17 point-to-point runs and three of seven hunter chases under Rules and arrives on the back of a smooth all-the-way success last time over Top Cat Henry in the pointing arena. He should confirm that form back under Rules. However, race conditions could not suit WONDERFUL CHARM (NAP) any better as he receives weight from all the aforementioned contenders. A very classy performer at his best who once finished runner-up to Don Cossack in Down Royal Grade 2, he should prove too good for this field if sweetened up by a spell hunting. The excellent Will Biddick takes the ride for the champion trainer.
Carlton Ryan (IRE) 1-2fav (12-5) Held up last to 12; hdwy 3 out; went 2nd nxt; no imp, 2nd of 7, 6l behind One Conemara (12-5) at Sheriff Hutton 3m in Jan.
Cave Hunter (IRE) 2-5fav (12-5) (bl) (tt) made all; r.o wl, won at Friars Haugh 3m gs in Jan beating Top Cat Henry (12-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
Chicago Outfit (IRE) 80-1 (12-6) Close up, lost place 9th, tailed off, pulled up, at Kelso 2m 7f (5) hvy in Jan.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, outpaced 13th, plugged on to take poor 3rd from last, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 24l behind One For Arthur (11-4) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Railway Dillon (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up; hdwy 5; went 2nd 3 out; led nxt; hdd flat; nt resolute, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Galant Nuit (10-9) at Sheriff Hutton 3m in Jan.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 5-2 (12-5) (cp) trckd wnr til outpcd aft 2 out, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Cave Hunter (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m gs in Jan.
Damiens Dilemma (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Made all; held on wl, won at Friars Haugh 3m gs in Jan beating Wind Of Hope (11-0) by hd, 5 ran.
High Hatton 7-4fav (12-3) 10th when ur 5, at Larkhill 3m gd in Jan.
Little Fritz (FR) 150-1 (11-12) In rear, pushed along before 13th, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 3m 2f (4) gf in May.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Held up in 5th, hit 9th, weakened after 4 out, behind next, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Menorah (11-10) at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gd in Apr.
