led to 5th, remained close up, hit 9th, hit 2 out, soon lost place, rallied from last, went 2nd last 150 yards, no chance with winner
with leader, led 5th, hit 2 out, soon clear, kept on strongly, eased towards finish
held up in touch, chased winner from 2 out, jumped right and weakened from last
tracked leaders and mistakes, blundered badly 7th, soon lost place, headway 3 out, chased winner and no impression after last, lost 2nd last 150 yards
in rear, struggling from 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up 8th
Alfie Flits won by 11 lengths on his fencing debut over this C&D in November but little has gone right since and he was beaten a long way when last of four finishers behind Alvarado at Wetherby on his latest start. Premier Sagas looks in better form having broken his duck over the larger obstacles over a longer trip at Ayr last month. Thumbs Up was returning from a lay-off when runner-up to Giorgio Quercus at Leicester and should strip fitter here but it looks significant that Howard Johnson turns out KING O'THE GYPSIES again quickly after an unlucky run at Carlisle. The six-year-old looked to be travelling as well as anything when blundering and unseating Ryan Mania at the third last and it would be no surprise if he gained compensation here getting 5lb from the previous winners.
Alfie Flits 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistakes, lost place from 9th, tailed off from 5 out, 4th of 5, well behind Alvarado (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Premier Sagas (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Led to 2nd, remained handy, led 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jan beating Benny Be Good (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thumbs Up 9-2 (11-4) Held up in 4th, not fluent 2nd, chased winner after 4 out, every chance 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Giorgio Quercus (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
King O'The Gypsies (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, upsides winner when mistake and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Cadoudalas (11-8) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy, 5 ran.
Soul Magic (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Held up mid-division, hit 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 16l behind Festival King (11-1) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
