chased leaders, ridden, every chance last, stayed on under pressure flat
held up, mistake 6th, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, blundered 1st, some headway 8th, weakened 3 out
held up, struggling from 6th, weakened 3 out
led, reminders approaching 8th, ridden, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, headway 7th, led 2 out, driven out
not jumped well, chased leader to 5th, weakened 6th
held up in touch, went 2nd at 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
behind after 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
Nonrunner
Yellow Flag won as he liked last time and whilst his penalty makes life tougher, he can win again at the main expense of Caulkleys Bank and My Condor. Jonjo O'Neill's five-year-old has really got his act together since the re-application of cheek-pieces and he had no trouble in disposing of a poor field last time out at Southwell. He likes the ground quick and whilst this field looks stronger, he is not the easiest to oppose in this frame of mind. Red Man Ray ran a fair race behind William Butler last time over fences and should not be under-estimated with that run under his belt. Norborne Bandit and Zorro De La Vega both have a lot of weight to carry today, so a bigger danger could be Caulkleys Bank. If he is supported in the betting, then it may pay to side with Mick Easterby's runner who ran well behind See The View last time and is unexposed in this sphere. Urban Tiger has been struggling of late; comments that also apply to My Condor, but both retain plenty of ability. An open race, but Yellow Flag can complete the hat-trick.
Norborne Bandit (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, struggling 5th, edged left approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, no danger, 5th of 9, 14l behind Fantastic Arts (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not always fluent, no chance 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind William Butler (10-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Caulkleys Bank 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, badly hampered 2nd, led before 3 out, soon headed, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 2nd of 9, 6l behind See The View (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft.
Urban Tiger (GER) 15-2 (11-8) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 27l behind Annie Fleetwood (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
My Condor (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, pressed leader to 3rd, 2nd until 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, well behind William Butler (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Yellow Flag 1-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, always hard held, won very easily, won at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Chigorin (11-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Powers And Soda (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 15, 14l behind Yellow Flag (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Led to after 1st, with leader, lost place before 3 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 11, 21l behind William Butler (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Always Baileys (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place 6th, back into contention 9th when mistake, ridden 4 out, struggling when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Ballybough Jack (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 8-1 (10-1) Swerved left and unseated rider in race won by Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
Drum Native (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, always behind, 7th of 11, 33l behind William Butler (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
