jumped right virtually throughout, made all, soon clear, hit 4th (water), drew well clear from 8th, hit last, eased
held up, lost touch from 5th, soon tailed off
chased winner, took closer order after 5th, mistakes 6th and 8th, soon weakened
An intriguing race despite the small field, and Mister Flint is fancied to follow up his recent Bangor win at the main expense of Tonic Du Charmil. The latter, from Martin Pipe's yard, was a fair novice hurdler who was sent over fences at a relatively young age. He didn't really take to them initially, as he failed to complete in three of his first five attempts. However, this five-year-old this season that he is beginning to get his act together and scored his first victory at Uttoxeter last time, beating Bills Echo by a length and a half. That should have done his confidence some good, and he is likely to be a formidable opponent here, but even so we just prefer the chances of Mister Flint. An above average hurdle, he too took a while to get the hang of things over fences, but beat the useful Mr Ed in good style at Bangor last week. He started jumping a bit hesitantly that day, but as the race went on he really warmed to his task and Philip Hobbs' charge looks the type to continue improving. Half Inch was a fair hurdler who cannot be entirely ruled out on her chasing debut, while Nazimabad was a shade disappointing last time but had earlier looked a nice prospect when winning a novices' handicap at Worcester. However, Mister Flint was the pick of these over timber, and judged on last week's performance he looks to be developing into a useful chaser too, so he gets the vote.
Mister Flint 4-1 (11-0) Made all, mistake 2nd and clear until after 9th, jumped left last, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (D) gs in Jul beating Mr Ed (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Nazimabad (IRE) 5-6fav (10-7) With leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind College City (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Jul.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, headway and mistake 4 out, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in Jul beating Bill's Echo (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Half Inch 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, well behind Lilac (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gs in Jul.
