led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat
slowly away, soon recovered, in touch in rear, slightly outpaced after 3 out, rallied last, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
slowly away, soon recovered, in touch in rear, headway to press leader after 3 out, ridden when hit last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, led 2 out, hit last, ran on, comfortable
tracked leader until slightl outpaced soon after 3 out, rallied approaching last, went 2nd flat until near finish
The fact that Richard Johnson is on board Flemensgael rather than Philip Hobbs' Erehwon suggests the latter, a winning point-to-pointer, may need this. Tim Vaughan's charge ran a shocker when fancied for a Fontwell bumper earlier this month but can surely do better on his hurdling debut. King's Colour won five times on the Flat and was rated 82 for the last of them but he's been in very poor form recently while Negotiation produced a mulish display before and during his hurdling debut at Huntingdon. Goodison Park has hardly picked her feet up on the Flat or over timber so this should go to NEW CODE, five times a winner on the level and not beaten far in two recent starts on fast ground over hurdles.
Erehwon 4-1 (12-0) in a race won by Hereweareagain (12-0) at Flete Park 3m ptp gd in May, 8 ran.
Flemensgael (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 2f out, moderate 5th, 5th of 8, well behind Swincombe Stone (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd.
King's Colour 33-1 (8-12) Outpaced in rear, never on terms, 6th of 7, 17l behind Mingun Bell (8-12) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep (flat).
Negotiation (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Reluctant to race and reminders start, in rear, headway into mid-division on outside after 5th, driven 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 12, 50l behind Perpetually (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
New Code 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, ridden after next, every chance last, kept on same pace, no impression with leading pair flat, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Perpetually (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Goodison Park 10-1 (9-12) Held up in last pair, headway to 4th before 2 out, 3rd soon after, driven and no chance with leading duo on long run to last, 4th of 7, 28l behind Lady Willa (10-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
