tracked leaders, hit 9th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
led to 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up and mistakes, outpaced 7th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 3 out
with leader, jumped slow 1st, led 6th, clear from 3 out
tracked leaders, every chance 7th, one pace from 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The vote here goes to Flight Command ahead of Reivers Moon and Brave Thought. Back up to two-and-a-half miles, his favoured trip, Flight Command looks reasonably weighted for this chase and can go well today. Brave Thought actually beat the selection over 17 furlongs on heavy going at Ayr last time, but is now three pounds worse off for half-a-length over today's longer trip. Master Sebastian and Green Ideal are the course and distance winners in the line-up, although the former is seven-pounds above a career-best winning mark, and the latter five pounds above one. South Bronx has nearly 15 lengths to find with Master Sebastian based on their recent meeting, and he is only seven pounds better off at the weights today. Big-And-Bold won a Grade 1 chase in Ireland back in 2002, but he has not shown too much in recent spins and has clearly had his problems. Reivers Moon was not beaten far off today's mark in this race last year and, having had a pipe-opener over a shorter trip this time around, is very much one to consider. Finally, dual Irish winner Dans Dealer is another that has a few pounds to find it would seem if he is going to get the better of the handicapper. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Flight Command.
Flight Command 7-2 (11-2) Held up, took close order 5th, led after 5 out, ridden 2 out, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Brave Thought (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Master Sebastian 8-1 (11-6) Jumped right, tracked leaders to 7th, weakened 12th, last of 6, well behind Bannister Lane (10-3) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Big-And-Bold (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 10th, led 6 out, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 19l behind The Bajan Bandit (11-10) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Feb.
Brave Thought (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, blundered 2 out, driven to lead flat, kept on, won at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb beating Flight Command (11-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Green Ideal 5-1jt-fav (11-12) In touch, pushed along 5 out, outpaced when mistake next, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Red Perk (10-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Dans Dealer (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) 4th early, 7th halfway, no extra before 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Frankie Dori (10-3) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gs in Oct, 15 ran.
South Bronx (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, good headway to lead 8th, blundered and headed 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Master Sebastian (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Reivers Moon 8-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, lead last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Moor Spirit (11-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
