held up, headway after 9th, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed, hit last, weakened flat
prominent, downed tools 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 7th
chased leader to 6th, ridden after next, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, hit 4th, headway approaching 4 out, led after 3 out, drew clear flat, ran on well, comfortably
led, raced keenly, 8 lengths clear, ridden when slipped badly on bend and unseated rider approaching 4 out
prominent going to 1st, held up, headway 4th, went second 6th, not fluent 8th, left in lead approaching 4 out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, hit last
took keen hold, held up in rear until pulled up before 9th
Muhtenbar has always run well here in the past but stronger claims are held by RUSSIAN FLAG who's probably the percentage call. Campanile is interesting for a yard that does well here and she's probably better than she showed on her debut for the yard and chase bow at Leicester as she pulled far too hard. Noble Crusader is having his first run for a shrewd yard and it will be interesting to see if he attracts support although this trip is possibly on the short side. Coach Lane has been struggling for form for a while now but Markila could emerge as a bigger threat as she makes her first chase start in handicap company. Muhtenbar has been frustrating to follow but he's an honest individual who seems to be suited by the demands of this track as does Tyup Pompey who is a course regular and it would be no surprise to see that pair vying for a share of the prize money. There are some interesting contenders but the solid horse in this line up is Russian Flag who rarely seems to run a bad race. He's finished in the money on ten of his thirteen chase starts and was winning for the second time when rallying late on at Warwick. His penalty makes life difficult but he should, at least, run his race.
Russian Flag (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, hit last, ran on well to lead close home, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Amble Forge (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Muhtenbar 33-1 (11-0) Led to 8th, steadily lost place, well in rear when blundered 13th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Coach Lane 17-2 (10-2) Towards rear, hit 8th, ridden after 5 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 7, 30l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Markila (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 27l behind First Point (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Noble Crusader (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, no danger and kept on without threatening from 3 out, 7th of 16, 26l behind Lucky Wish (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs gd in Oct.
Pret A Thou (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 5th, every chance when mistake 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 13, 35l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led, headed and bumped 8th, led again next until approaching 10th, soon struggling, went 4th approaching 4 out, left 3rd before 2 out, stayed on flat to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Just Smudge (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Campanile 9-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, held up, headway to track leaders 6th, not fluent next, ridden and hit 2 out, ridden and beaten when left poor 2nd last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Double Hit (10-12) at Leicester 2m Mares Novice Chase (4yo+) (4) gf in Nov.
