led and raced keen, headed after 4 out, weakening when blundered next
tracked leader until after 5 out, weakened next
towards rear, blundered 5 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed next, every chance until after last
tracked leaders, led 3 out, always hard held, won very easily
always behind, struggling from 7th
tracked leaders, blundered 1st, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 7th
Yellow Flag put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him when landing a similar contest in good style at Stratford last week and Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is taken to defy the 7lb penalty for that success, getting the verdict over Billyandi and Red Dawn. The last mentioned has run some respectable races in defeat of late and should again be thereabouts but he may once more have to settle for minor honours. Ground Breaker was good value for his win at Worcester last month but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for that success and he has struggled in both starts since then. King Diamond looks to be going the right way now for Frank Jordan and any market support for the seven-year-old would be of interest. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in good form so Billyandi has to be respected and is certainly better than recent form suggests but it is hard to get away from Yellow Flag, who gets the vote.
Good Old Days (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, hit 1st, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 15l behind Annie Fleetwood (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Billyandi (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Held up, not fluent 4th, ridden and struggling after 8th, 6th of 8, 31l behind Lord Jay Jay (11-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
King Diamond (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Chigorin 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 33l behind William Butler (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Yellow Flag 7-2fav (10-12) Always prominent, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Vibe (10-12) by 11l, 15 ran.
Ground Breaker 8-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th until 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 26l behind William Butler (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Red Dawn (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Prominent, led 7th until approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Ballybough Jack (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
