took keen hold, soon tracking leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to dispute lead inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
hard ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away and lost 10 lengths, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, just failed
close up, headway to lead 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, weakened over 2f out
Flint River is the pick ahead of For Life, Paparaazi and Outer Hebrides in another poor contest. Flint River was sent off fancied at Southwell last month but could only finish fourth. He is not the force of old, but there is no getting away from the fact that he is much better treated these days, having won off a mark of 74 at Kempton in April 2005. That was to be his last visit to the winner's enclosure, but he should be in the shake-up here. For Life has also steadily dropped down the ratings, and there was a bit of hope to be gleaned from his fourth to Siraj at Kempton last time. Paparaazi has a string of placed efforts to his name, while Outer Hebrides has also filled the frame on more than one occasion, and has a top jockey booked. The market will reveal if anything else is fancied, but Flint River is taken to turn the clock back.
Mystic Man (FR) 22-1 (9-8) Always behind, last of 12, 25l behind Ninth House (9-12) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept.
Outer Hebrides 10-1 (8-12) Behind, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 14, 6l behind Bomber Command (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Paparaazi (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression, 7th of 17, 4l behind Kinsya (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Oct.
For Life (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Pressed winner to over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Siraj (9-6) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Marko Jadeo (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly away, outpaced, 8th of 9, 8l behind Little Edward (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Moon Bird 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 1l behind Generator (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Flint River 6-5fav (9-1) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 2l behind Cleveland (8-8) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Nov.
African Concerto (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders, 6th of 11, 6l behind Siraj (9-6) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.