tracked leader, led 6th, made rest, pushed out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten
led, headed 6th, chased winner after, no impression from 2 out
always behind
held up in rear, headway 5th to track leaders, effort approaching 2 out, no impression
towards rear, never dangerous
Flake gets the confident vote here with Kids Inheritance and Stormy Beech put forward as the likely dangers. The selection won really well on his chasing bow on this track when beating Daguyda. He looks as though he will make into a better chaser than he was a hurdler, and despite the drop in trip he is taken to score. Kids Inheritance was a little disappointing last time but that was over 2m3f and he is much better over this shorter trip. He had previously won well when beating Real Shady over 2m at Catterick, but his overall profile means he is not one to go overboard about and we are happy to take him on. Stormy Beech hit a couple of fences hard at Newcastle when a beaten favourite last time, but his previous good effort over this course and distance would make him a leading contender this afternoon. The key to his chance will be his jumping and it would be no surprise to see him go well if he jumps fluently. Ghadames is another to consider but he is probably better over further and we will stick with Flake as our idea of the winner.
Ghadames (FR) 8-1 Pulled hard in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 18l behind Cordilla at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy.
Kids Inheritance (IRE) 15-2 Chased leaders, led after 7th, headed approaching next, ridden 3 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind Enzo de Baune at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs.
Flake 11-4 Tracked leaders, headway to lead 11th, clear after 2 out, pushed out comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec beating Daguyda by 17l, 9 ran.
Mexican (USA) 20-1 Held up in rear, headway 6th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 4th of 8, 27l behind King Of The Arctic at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Stormy Beech 9-4fav In touch when mistake 8th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 7, 22l behind Peterhouse at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Jan.
Young Tot (IRE) 8-1 Behind, headway approaching 2 out, kept on from next, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ball Games at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Dec.