tracked winner, bumped 14th, challenged 3 out, every chance next, held last, no extra and dropped to 3rd 100 yards out
never that fluent, chased leading pair until not fluent 11th, chased leading trio, tried to rally after 14th, pushed along and outpaced when went left 4 out, ridden and outpaced when went left final 3, plugged on
held up tracking leaders on inside, went 3rd 11th, pushed along before 2 out, shaken up and hit 2 out, driven between last 2, 3 lengths 3rd last, went 2nd final 100 yards, stayed on gamely to lead post
jumped left in early stages, took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, dropped to rear 10th, never on terms after, outpaced and no chance from 14th
jumped left most of way, led, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on gamely run-in, caught post
NonRunner
Arpege D'alene finished ahead of recent Ludlow winner Label Des Obeaux and Laurium when second at Cheltenham in December and was a close-up third in a staying handicap at the same course later. He must have a chance of getting back to winning ways in this, though Fletchers Flyer may have needed his run in here in the same month. Bigbadjohn started favourite for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last month but was already in trouble when slipping up on the first circuit. FLINTHAM ran much better than the final result suggests on his return to action at Cheltenham. A confirmed front-runner, Mark Bradstock’s charge could have most of these in trouble if getting into a rhythm as he is probably favoured by the weights.
Fletchers Flyer (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Chased leading pair, every chance when went right and slightly impeded 3 out, soon pushed along and one pace, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 20l behind Regal Encore (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Arpege D'alene (FR) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up, towards rear, mid-division 3rd, closed before 11th, 2nd from 2 out until last, stayed on until 3rd and no extra close home, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Tour Des Champs (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Bigbadjohn (IRE) 9-2fav (10-10) Mid-division, reminders after 6th, soon struggling, slipped on flat before 8th, at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Laurium 5-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, not much room 9th, not fluent 11th, headway 14th, outpaced 16th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 37 1/2l behind Singlefarmpayment (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd in Dec.
Flintham 12-1 (11-7) Led, clear 11th until 13th, ridden before 3 out, headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakening when left modest 3rd, went right last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 27l behind Tanit River (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Label Des Obeaux (FR) 1-3fav (11-0) Made most, left 2 lengths clear 11th (water), drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Ludlow 3m (4) sft in Feb beating Hit The Highway (11-0) by 13l, 4 ran.
