not fluent early, held up, steady headway 4th, effort and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on towards 2nd towards finish
led, headed briefly before 2 out, soon ridden, held on under pressure, flat
unruly start, held up in rear, pushed along 5th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out
tracked winner, driven to lead briefly before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Russian Flag is taken to see off Still At Lunch. Charlie Longsdon has found a bad race to get a win out of Russian Flag but he is still one to approach with caution. A notorious puller, he hasn't exactly found a great deal in a finish and it is to be hoped that Richie McGrath can unlock the ability that Tony McCoy and Tom O'Brien have not. Still At Lunch ran a fair second at Perth behind Regent's Secret before going on to disappoint over slightly further. Art Of Being is completely wayward and shouldn't be near a racecourse. No Supper looks plating class if his line of form with Thistle is taken literally. Cragg Vale Lady's SP of 150/1 on hurdling debut just about says it all. A dire contest and Russian Flag has no excuses.
Russian Flag (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 29l behind Mutual Friend (11-3) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Still At Lunch (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Raced keenly, led to before 6th, chased leaders until outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Mhilu (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Art of Being (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Reluctant to race and well in rear when refused and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Songe (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
No Supper (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Led from 2nd, 1 length advantage when fell 3 out in race won by Avant Gardiste (11-2) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Cragg Vale Lady 150-1 (10-2) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Southern Regent (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.