held up in mid-division, mistake 6th, lost place next, ridden and well behind after 9th
jumped right, led, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, headed flat, held towards finish
held up in rear, took keen hold, in touch when hit 4 out, no impression, weakened next
took keen hold, tracked leader until before 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway from 8th, 3rd last, ridden flat, no extra
mid-division on outside, lost place before 7th, tried to rally after 9th, weakened 4 out
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, 2nd 3 out, challenged last, led flat, driven out
chased leaders, 2nd before 4 out until 3 out, weakened flat
Gowanauthat has been superbly placed to complete a five-timer, all with 3lb claimer Harry banister on board. Charlie Mann's charge has yet another 7lb rise to contend with but can't be ignored. Degooch was not hard pressed to get back to winning ways at Sedgefield and this is undoubtedly his best trip. Kashmir Peak was a smart hurdler a few years ago and may have more to offer over fences while Destiny's Gold is rarely far away. MONT ROYALE is 0-7 over the larger obstacles but his comeback third at Stratford suggests he's now on a mark from which he should be capable of winning and he gets the nod. Wings Of Smoke is a bit of enigma but may be the pick of the remainder.
Ashcott Boy 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, lost place when not fluent 9th, in rear when not fluent next, behind when fell 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Gowanauthat (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 8th, not fluent next, led again 3 out, clear before last, stayed on gamely, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Kilfinichen Bay (11-8) by 7l, 6 ran.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Held up, in rear, not fluent 12th, never involved, 6th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Ballyknock Lad (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, outpaced 2 out, headway under pressure to go 3rd approaching last, kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 4, 8 3/4l behind Net Work Rouge (11-1) at Stratford 2m 7f (4) gd in Aug.
Degooch (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Tracked front pair, headway to lead after 3 out, driven clear between last 2, ridden out flat, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Rough Justice (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Destiny's Gold (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 4th, mistake 7th, last 4 out, not fluent and no impression next, last of 3, 10 1/4l behind Rejaah (10-0) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Mont Royale 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, hit 9th, headway after 2 out, 3rd before last, unable to get on terms, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Tindaro (11-7) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Cruchain (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Led until after 2nd, tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd before home turn, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Wadswick Court (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
