mid-division, close up 5th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, never on terms
tracked leader, hit 5th, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance next, kept until no extra flat
raced keenly in touch, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off
raced wide, held up and never dangerous
led, hit 2nd and 7th, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway 3 out, switched right to challenge next, soon led, ridden and kept on flat
behind, mistake 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, no impression from next
soon behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Flake has been knocking on the door of late and looks to have been found a suitable ooportunity here to get his head in front - Russian Sky and Hugo De Perro should give him the most to think about. The selection has been running well over fences and he twice went close to winning towards the end of last season. He returns to hurdling and will have ground conditions to suit today and providing he is fit enough to do himself justice on his seasonal reappearance then he should take all the beating. Russian Sky does have the benefit of a couple of recent runs and he does hold Hugo De Perro from their recent run at Kelso. If our selection is not at his best then he could be the one to profit. Nick The Silver ran well when second behind Banningham Blaze at Towcester last time and for each-way punters he could represent decent value. Classic Lash looks the best of the remainder, but for the winner we will return to Flake.
Hugo De Perro (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Reluctant to race and started very slowly, always behind, 8th of 12, 47l behind Penteli (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Russian Sky 11-4fav (11-8) In touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Penteli (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Flake Evensfav (11-0) Made most to 2 out, soon ridden, held when hit last, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Parish Oak (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Mar.
Sands Rising 4-1jt-fav (11-7) Held up, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 43l behind Chef Tartare (11-10) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Apr.
Red Man (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Chased leader, hit 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Broken Knights (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Nick The Silver 5-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed last, ran on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Banningham Blaze (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gf.
Classic Lash (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, ridden next, kept on but lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Nifty Roy (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in May.
Cody 20-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 10th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fu Fighter (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in Jul, 14 ran.
