held up, headway 10th, ridden when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
led, hit 12th, soon headed and weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
always behind
mid-division, headway after 11th, led after next, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten
prominent, pushed along after 11th, weakened after next
held up, headway approaching 12th, led 2 out, clear last, pushed out
prominent, mistake and lost place 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, blundered 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
Nonrunner
Cherry Gold, Tipsy Mouse and Emperor Ross are three against the field in this wide-open handicap chase and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection has been in good form in hunter chases of late and won well last time out when beating Pharmistice. He returns to handicaps off what looks a fair mark despite top weight and under his optimum conditions he will be hard to beat. Tipsy Mouse rates the main danger as he is another that has dropped to a handy mark and was a fair fourth behind Gallik Dawn. The switch to Richard Guest's yard could spark a revival but it will need to do so if he is to score. Cherry Gold returns to fences having won well over hurdles when beating Brush A King last time out. However he is creeping up the weights and his improvement will flatten out soon and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Golden Rambler is from a yard that is in top form and is another with place claims but he continues to be beset by jumping problems so can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Penthouse Minstrel is another with conditions to suit but looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Emperor Ross.
Emperor Ross (IRE) 13-8 (11-11) Held up and behind, headway 14th to chase leader, mistake 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) gf in May beating Pharmistice (11-7) by 12l, 9 ran.
Golden Rambler (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Led, hit 3rd, blundered and fell at the 14th in race won by Imperial Dream (10-8) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (B) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Penthouse Minstrel 9-4jt-fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, left 2nd before 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from next, not reach winner, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Helvetius (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in May.
Count Campioni (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Gallik Dawn (10-2) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May, 11 ran.
Mullensgrove 20-1 (12-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, chased leading pair 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 23l behind Mrs Be (11-7) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (B) sft in May.
Cherry Gold 6-1 (10-13) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, left clear last, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in May beating Brush A King (10-13) by 10l, 10 ran.
Totheroadyouvgone 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden 3 out, went 2nd and not fluent 2 out and last, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Over Bridge (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in May.
Tipsy Mouse (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led, ridden 13th, headed 18th and weakened, 4th of 11, 18l behind Gallik Dawn (10-2) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
