always in rear, lost touch after 3rd, continued tailed off until pulled up before 12th
tracked winner throughout, not fluent 7th, driven after 4 out, ridden and held after next, kept on same pace in clear 2nd before last, no chance with winner
not fluent most of way, held up in 4th, lost touch 14th, continued tailed off, left remote 3rd before last
chased leading pair, driven after 4 out, wide into straight, outpaced when mistake next, soon beaten, modest 3rd when pulled up before last
made all, drew clear after 3 out, stayed on well, in command when ridden flat, eased towards finish, easily
Only five runners in this but it's a pretty decent contest for the track. Racing Europe is just in danger of becoming disappointing but stays well. The mare Hester Flemen may just need this and Central Flame also has an absence to overcome, though was very progressive over hurdles in the spring. Paul Nicholls doesn't send many up here so must be confident of a good run from WARRIORS TALE, who was only beaten a head in a handicap at Newbury last month when conceding weight all round. Seldom Inn has been a bit unlucky so far over fences and should also be winning soon.
Central Flame 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Tekthelot (10-10) by nk, 12 ran.
Racing Europe (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, dropped to rear 5th, not fluent 10th, soon pushed along, lost touch 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind One For Arthur (11-0) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Seldom Inn 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, in touch in rear, reminder after 4 out, disputed 2nd when mistake next, 2 lengths down last, ridden and stayed on flat, closing on winner when carried right towards finish, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Capard King (11-8) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Warriors Tale 13-2 (11-8) Mid-division, closed after 3rd, led after 4 out, ridden when pressed flat, headed close home, 2nd of 12, hd behind Spookydooky (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hester Flemen (IRE) 3-10fav (11-2) Made all, took keen hold, hit 5th, ridden before last, held on towards finish, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan beating Jennys Melody (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
