chased clear leaders, close up 8th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied into 2nd between last 2, upsides last, led narrowly flat, stayed on towards finish
chased clear leaders, close up 8th, lost touch when saddle slipped 10th, pulled up before next
went left 1st, led, clear to 8th, headed after 10th, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 4th and beaten when fell last
held up, close up 8th, smooth headway to lead 2 out, ridden and joined last, headed narrowly flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leader and clear of rest, close up when blundered 8th, led after 10th, headed 2 out, no chance with clear pair before last
soon detached in rear, went violently right 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
CRAIGMOR and Djarkevi are both making their chase debuts, but the former has much more potential in this sphere. A consistent hurdler over this sort of trip, he has winning form as a pointer and looks the likeliest winner here. St Merryn and Closest Friend both have chase experience, but neither have looked like winning in five outings each, and Bleu Et Or was none too impressive in a hunter chase when last seen in June.
Craigmor (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) In touch, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner from last, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mr Mafia (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Closest Friend 17-2 (11-9) Held up off the pace in 5th, dived at 6th, mistake 3 out, went remote 4th after last, 4th of 6, 36 1/2l behind Pearls Legend (12-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Djarkevi (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, keen, weakened quickly before 2 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Dinsdale (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Alexander The Grey 16-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway from 8th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 28 3/4l behind Premier King (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Bleu Et Or (FR) 66-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, led until 5th, led 6th, headed next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 31 1/4l behind Caryto Des Brosses (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f (5) gd in Jun.
St Merryn (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, ridden when hit next, kept on run-in, just lost out in battle for modest 3rd, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Too Much Too Soon (11-11) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in May.
