tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out
held up in rear, hit 4th, headway tracking leaders 9th, travelling well in 3rd before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, plugged on into 2nd final 75 yards
took keen hold, tracking leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, one pace and no impression on winner run-in, lost 2nd final 75 yards
held up in 5th, weakened 9th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leading pair, pecked 10th, 2nd from 4 out, challenged next, led last, ridden and came readily clear run-in
led until blundered 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching 2 out
held up in last pair, mistake 7th, went modest 4th 3 out, no chance with leading trio
Flash Crash was having just his second start over fences when staying on to finish runner-up over two miles at Ffos Las where the heavy ground appeared to suit. Winning bumper Halo Moon made his chasing debut in a four-runner race here a fortnight ago and finished a close third, though the first past the post was disqualified. Neil Mulholland’s charge wasn't helped by a last-fence error and he'll have come on for the run. Black Narcissus won a point-to-point in Ireland but though successful over hurdles at Exeter wasn't exactly consistent and refused to race on her previous start. Kings River's only decent run was over the minimum trip so all roads point to ALBATROS DE GUYE (NAP), who came here a fortnight ago and was well supported for a slightly lower grade handicap and won as he pleased. He's up 9lb but is only five and should be up to defying the extra.
Flash Crash 14-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, ridden before 4 out, mistake 2 out, went 2nd and stayed on well flat, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Bobble Boru (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Halo Moon 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, every chance when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last. finished 3rd, promoted to 2nd, 3rd of 4, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Black Narcissus (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, chased winner from 3 out until last, no extra, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Comical Red (10-10) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
School For Scandal (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, lost touch before 4 out, no chance with front trio, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Dormello Mo (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Kings River (FR) 7-2fav (11-4) Chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Scales (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Four Shuck Men (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Albatros De Guye (FR) 7-2fav (10-0) Chased leaders, took closer order 4 out, led next, kept on well under pressure, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Strange Bird (10-13) by 6l, 6 ran.
