mid-division in touch on inside, outpaced after 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms
towards rear, hit 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, 4th when blundered next, kept on same pace, no impression
behind, badly hampered bend after 2nd, struggling next, never dangerous
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden and edged right between last 2, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat
behind, pushed along after 3 out, headway into mid-division before next, never near leaders
raced keenly, mid-division, headway and in touch 3 out, chased leading pair before next, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, hampered and lost place bend after 2nd, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
mid-division in touch, not much room bend after 2nd, headway 3 out, went 2nd before next, led approaching last, pushed clear flat, readily
raced keenly, led 1st to 5th, wandered next, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led to 1st, with leader, led again 5th, headed after 3 out, weakened from next
behind, mistake 2nd, headway into mid-division 3 out, weakened next
mid-division on outside when clipped heels and fell on bend after 2nd
tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, driven and outpaced before 2 out, soon lost place, no impression between last 2
Royale's Charter won twice in September and carries a 10lb penalty for his troubles. He may find it difficult giving weight away to MOLOTOF despite his fitness advantage as the latter finished runner-up in a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Kempton back in February and a repeat will be good enough to land this. Theatrical Star made a winning return at Chepstow on last month's hurdling debut and he can figure, while Newbury bumper winner Balding Banker is of interest on his first start over timber.
Royale's Charter 7-2fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th to chase leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged when hit last, kept on to lead final 100 yards, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sep beating King's Counsel (11-3) by 1l, 14 ran.
Theatrical Star 15-8 (10-12) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 3rd before 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on to chase leader before last, led last, soon drew clear, eased close home, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Kanturk (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Able Deputy 12-1 (10-11) Chased clear leader, hung left 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Castletown Bridge (10-11) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Balding Banker (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Mid-division in touch, lost place 7f out, soon behind, 7th of 9, 48l behind Ericht (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Hoare Abbey (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, effort over 3f out, soon lost place, 12th of 17, 48l behind Oscar Magic (10-4) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Judge Davis 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, no impression on front pair well inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Turbo Du Ranch (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Le Chasse Spleen (FR) Caballo Raptor gelding out of Joon.
Molotof (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Close up on outside, headway to challenge 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, weakened last, 14th of 23, 23l behind Zarkandar (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Reste Jeune (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Raced keenly soon prominent, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, final furlong, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Swincombe Stone (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Revani 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, plugged on one pace final 2f, never on terms, 6th of 10, 17l behind One Term (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Saffron Sam 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 16, 42l behind Keys (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) gs in Jan.
Tuskar (USA) 8-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 2f, ridden and weakened from 3f out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Accordingtojodie (11-7) at Galway 2m 4yo nhf gf in Aug '10.
Watledge (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway after next, beaten 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 13l behind Green Mining (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Racey Lacey 100-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, narrow lead on inside soon after 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed last, stayed challenging and every chance until no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Balerina (10-10) at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo flls nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
