tracked leader, led 3rd to 5th, remained in touch, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 5th, headed when hit 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 3 out, ridden last, drew clear flat, comfortably
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 2 out, never on terms
always prominent, effort and went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, no impression flat
held up in rear, steady headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
held up, steady headway 6th, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon beaten
mistakes, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Russian Flag is marginally preferred to Johny Scruff and Norman Beckett. The selection was having his first run for Charlie Longsdon and his first for a year when finishing third at Fakenham despite racing too keenly and meeting trouble in running. That run should have blown away the cobwebs, he should see out this longer trip and can be expected to make considerable improvement. Johny Scruff was beaten a fair way on his hurdling bow at Stratford but this longer trip should see him in a better light and he may be able to take closer order. Norman Beckett has more solid claims having already won a race but he was below par last time and is vulnerable under a penalty. Good Citizen is a useful chaser and would be a threat to all if at his best but we'll hopefully be toasting Russian Flag.
Norman Beckett 4-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, held up, effort 4 out, ridden and out pace next, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 20l behind Chevy To The Levy (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Future Legend 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, in 3rd and held when blundered badly last, 5th of 11, 9l behind So Brash (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul '06.
Good Citizen (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Prominent, in touch when fell 5 out in race won by Principe Azzurro (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
I'm Gunner Be Fine 33-1 (10-11) Led, headed after 1st, prominent to halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Weather Front (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
Karinga King 125-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened after 7th, 11th of 15, 40l behind Robert The Brave (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Ned Harte (IRE) Broken Hearted gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Randolph O'Brien.
Ormus 11-1 (11-7) In touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, blundered 2 out and soon headed, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Nelliedonethat (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Russian Flag (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, improved 6th, chased winner after 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden before last, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Chaninbar (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Smart (POL) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, blundered 1st, weakened from 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Middleton Dene (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
Desert Maze (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Led 1f, led again 3f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 15l behind Tiger Dream (8-13) at Thirsk 1m mdn stk (5) gf in May (Flat).
Johny Scruff (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 10, 29l behind Golan Way (11-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Jun.
Opus Star 16-1 (10-12) Held up behind, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Ragdollianna (10-4) at Southwell 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Starlight Air 28-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 33l behind Delayed Approach (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Hapthor 13-2 (11-0) Held up, smooth headway 2 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun beating Another Jameson (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
