mid-division, headway on inside 8th, 3rd and outpaced before 2 out, held after, stayed on flat
prominent, outpaced 15th, not fluent in 5th 4 out, soon weakened, 4th from next
led 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
not always fluent, always behind
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden 11th, jumped left 15th, well beaten before 4 out
led until not fluent 2nd, stayed in touch, ridden 12th, challenged before 4 out, led 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, soon hampered, held flat, stayed on
chased leaders on outside, lost place after 8th, behind from 15th
Goodtoknow won this last year off a 4lb higher mark, when Streets Of Promise was tailed off and Firebird Flyer was pulled up, but has failed to complete in four of five starts since so comes with a warning notice attached. Another Venture gamely held on at Chepstow, when Scotchtown was fifth, and looks a useful stayer in the making but has another 5lb to shoulder and a couple of the yard’s fancied runners disappointed over the weekend. Houblon Des Obeaux is not the force of old and has a welter burden to carry but did win a veterans’ race at Sandown in November. REGAL FLOW is a real mud-lover who finds plenty under pressure. Sean Houlihan got him home over the trip at Wincanton last time and a 3lb rise is hardly excessive.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 5-1fav (10-13) Towards rear, headway and hit 17th, outpaced next, plugged on, no threat, 6th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Buywise (10-8) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Scotchtown (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace when mistake 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Another Venture (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Goodtoknow 18-1 (11-11) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, struggling 12th, well behind after 15th, pulled up before next, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division, fell 12th, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Spookydooky (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 2nd, behind when pulled up after 14th, at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Another Venture (IRE) 13-8fav (10-10) Made most until after 6th, led after 11th, soon headed, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Souriyan (10-11) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Regal Flow 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led after 8th, headed 11th, outpaced 3 out, rallied last, stayed on strongly to lead again post (2 fences omitted), won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Krackatoa King (11-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Streets Of Promise (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Jumped right at times, led 3rd, stumbled 14th, not fluent 16th, bumped next, headed before 4 out, well held from 3 out, 4th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Emperor's Choice (11-4) at Haydock 3m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
