led 2nd to 3rd, chased leader after, led 12th, ridden after 3 out, headed last, stayed on
ran in snatches, mistake 12th, soon struggling, mistake 4 out, left poor 4th 2 out
led 3rd to 12th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led last, stayed on under pressure
in touch, lost place after 9th, behind when mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
slowly away, blundered 1st, headway to join leaders 5th, lost place quickly after 9th, pulled up before 10th
mid-division, not fluent 8th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
hampered 2nd, headway 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, beaten when left 3rd 2 out, hit last
in rear when jumped very slowly 1st, jumped right 2nd, headway 14th, 5 lengths 3rd when fell 2 out
soon behind, tailed off 6th, pulled after 9th
Nonrunner
Desert Tommy was useful on his day over hurdles but gave little sign for encouragement on his chasing debut so looks best watched and preference is for Armariver, who gets the vote ahead of Irish Wolf. The last mentioned was easily the pick of these over hurdles but has struggled against the handicapper of late and now switches to the larger obstacles for the first time. Peter Bowen's gelding has to be respected but may be best watched on his first start over fences. Champagne Harry bounced back to form at Stratford last time and makes more appeal than Jonjo O'Neill's Thunder Rock, who does have age on his side but lacks the experience of some of his rivals. Armariver showed progressive form over hurdles last term and he should have learned from his chasing debut at Hereford last month so he gets the vote.
Champagne Harry 14-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May beating Rushneeyriver (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Charabang (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 11th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Eurocelt (10-13) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in May, 11 ran.
Desert Tommy 3-1 (11-2) Led after 2nd until 7th, chased leaders and soon driven along, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 10, 19l behind Norton Sapphire (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Il Potere (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened after 5th, struggling 7th, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Kavatcha (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Irish Wolf (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place from 7th, 10th of 19, 21l behind Abragante (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 7-4 (11-6) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd and hit 3 out, challenging when not fluent next, led last, hung left, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Sheriff Roscoe (11-6) by 4l, 7 ran.
Armariver (FR) 2-5fav (11-3) Tracked leader, with clear leader 3 out, not fluent, held soon after (lost front shoe), 2nd of 6, 4l behind Gan Eagla (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf in May.
Tanners Court 6-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up, headway 3rd, led 5th, jumped right 7th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Itsmyboy (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in May.
