soon driven along, behind from 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led until 11th, tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up, headway 8th, ridden in close 5th approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, virtually pulled up run-in
mid-division, headway after 13th, went 2nd next, soon ridden, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, driven out
mid-division, hampered 7th, struggling 10th, soon behind, virtually pulled up run-in
prominent until fell 7th
mid-division, ridden after 13th, one pace from next
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out
held up, headway 6th, brought down next
in touch until 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra when headed final 75 yards
held up, badly hampered 7th, stayed on from 3 out but never on terms after
Flintoff is taken to return to form and get the better of the progressive Nougat De L'Isle and Mage D'Estruval. The selection never travelled on his reappearance over hurdles but chasing is his game and there's every chance that he's still on the up after just six starts in this sphere. His yard continues in good form and ground conditions are in his favour although he may ideally prefer further. Nougat De L'Isle had Its Crucial and Mighty Moose behind when winning here last time and could confirm that form despite a 9lb rise in the weights. He's very much one to keep on the right side of but his jumping is far from faultless and that could cost him in this company. Mage D'Estruval didn't get home at Chepstow but should be involved back in trip today whilst Kandjar D'Alllier goes well fresh and has live claims if near his best today. Ballyfoy and Which Pocket should also have more to offer as chasers but Flintoff gets our vote.
Flintoff (USA) 7-1 (10-6) Held up, ridden after 7th, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Raslan (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Led, headed 5 out, soon ridden, weakened flat, 5th of 9, 6l behind Irish Raptor (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Never a factor, 9th of 11, 33l behind Backbeat (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden 13th, weakening when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Irish Raptor (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 9 ran.
Which Pocket (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Nadover (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 7-2fav (11-1) Always prominent, not fluent 8th, led 13th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on strongly from last, ridden out, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Mr Ed (11-6) by 5l, 9 ran.
The Sawyer (BEL) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leader from 2nd, led 8th (water), headed 11th, weakened after 13th, 5th of 8, well behind Bagan (11-9) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 11-4fav (11-4) In touch, led 5 out to 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Victory Gunner (10-10) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Arumun (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Tracked leader to 3rd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Letalus (10-10) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Lord Lington (FR) 22-1 (11-7) In touch, headway 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Ballyfitz (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Its Crucial (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and headway after 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened, 4th of 9, 15l behind Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, headway 13th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
