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It's not easy to drum up much enthusiasm for Fix The Rib after a modest showing at Ascot on Sunday while Russian Flag has struggled this season, though is now 4lb lower than when successful at Wincanton a year ago. Carleton Place is also starting to come down the weights but has been well beaten in two starts since leaving Henry De Bromhead and Mister Matt's only wins so far have come at Uttoxeter and he races for the first time since finishing tailed off at Chepstow in October. JAFFONIEN may lack the experience of some of these but was a decent novice in Ireland for Arthur Moore and jumped really well when second to Doeslessthanme over C&D last month - he may be the one to beat today.
Russian Flag (FR) 40-1 (11-9) Held up in 5th, not fluent and ridden 7th, dropped to last and struggling 9th, tailed off, 5th of 7, 38l behind Carrickboy (11-6) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Jaffonnien (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, tracked leadrs, pulled way up to lead before 4th, clear 6th until approaching 3 out, headed before last, pecked last, weakened, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Doeslessthanme (11-7) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Mister Matt (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Educated Evans (10-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) With leader, led 3rd, headed 9th, close 2nd when blundered 4 out, 3rd when blundered next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 6, 36l behind Riguez Dancer (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Carleton Place (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, went 5th before 4th, never on terms, struggling 4 out, tailed off when mistake 2 out, 5th of 6, 37l behind Amaury De Lusignan (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
