held up in rear, headway 10th, 7 lengths down in 5th when bad mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up, hit 3rd, headway approaching 8th, mistake 2 out, ridden and switched left flat, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd towards finish
in touch, mistake 2nd, chased leader 4th, hit 7th and reminders, lost 2nd 11th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat but lost 2nd towards finish
led until after 10th, still close 2nd 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader, reminders after 7th and 8th, dropped last 10th, weakening when jumped very slowly next, tailed off
prominent, lost place 5th, dropped last 8th, soon pulled up
raced keenly in touch on outside, chased leader after 3rd to 4th, remainded handy, led after 10th, ridden flat, driven out
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
CHANGING LANES is given the narrow vote ahead of Portside and The Spieler. The selection finished second off a career high mark of 101 over hurdles last time at Fakenham having won at Wetherby prior to that. He now runs in his first novice chase and will have been well prepared at home by trainer Tim Vaughan, so if running up to his recent form he is sure to go close with a clear round. Portside also makes his debut over the larger obstacles having been placed in his last four runs over hurdles. He had become a little frustrating to follow but may fair better in this sphere and with a good round of jumping is expected to run well. The Spieler got placed in similar races last summer but never looked like winning. He is still only lightly raced but does look exposed on what he has achieved to date and at best another placed effort is expected. Changing Lanes comes into the race in fine form and is taken to win over fences first time of asking.
Charles Street 16-1 (11-1) Held up, some progress approaching 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 15, 17l behind Magnifico (9-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Changing Lanes 13-8fav (11-13) In touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Sparkling Montjeu (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Portside (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along after 6th, reminded after next, closed after 8th, mistake 3 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Island Arrow (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Carrietau 9-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 7l behind Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Prince De Bersy (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Led, mistake and driven along 12th, narrowly headed 14th, stayed challenging until ridden and weakened quickly soon after 3 out, 4th of 5, 36l behind Victree (9-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gf in May.
The Spieler (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 25l behind Royal Wedding (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Keoghs Tradbar (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed before 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by El Jo (11-4) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl hvy in Oct, 18 ran.
Thenameescapesme 11-2 (11-2) Held up, blundered 2nd, outpaced 15th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ortega (9-7) at Southwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
