held up towards rear on outer, headway approaching and hit 8th, lost place next, weakened from 5 out
with leader, led 7th, clear approaching last, ridden out
held up in touch, weakening when blundered 5 out
held up in rear, blundered 6th, reminders before next, soon struggling
chased leaders on outer, chased winner before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden to chase winner when mistake 2 out, one pace
led, jumped right 2nd, hit 6th, headed 7th, went 3rd before last, one pace and no impression
Sagalyrique won at Ayr at the start of the month but competes off a career-high mark this afternoon and rarely runs two races alike. Russian Flag has been in the handicapper's grip for some time while Font ran poorly at Cheltenham on his reappearance and seems to perform better with a bit of sun on his back. Kack Handed was in decent form in the autumn, however, and is entitled to respect while Le Roi Rouge usually needs a few runs to put him straight and Double Vodka should be all the better for his run at Haydock in November. But the vote goes to PROFESSOR HIGGINS, who has been off the track for a while but runs well fresh and may take some catching on his favoured ground.
Russian Flag (FR) 4-1 (11-3) In touch in rear, went 3rd 7th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened next, last of 4, well behind Matuhi (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Sagalyrique (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on well to lead final 75 yards, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs beating Premier Sagas (11-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Font 14-1 (11-9) Blundered 1st, never travelled or jumped with any fluency in rear after, mistakes 5th and 7th (water), tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Fine Parchment (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gd in Dec.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, niggled approaching 6th, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Sibenek (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 11th, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Salut Flo (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Double Vodka (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, outpaced 8th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 8, well behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Kack Handed 11-4 (10-13) Jumped right repeatedly, led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Betabob (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
