held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway before 3 out, challenged before next, jumped right last, no extra
held up towards rear, headway 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, went 3rd after 2 out, challenged when not fluent last, led flat, driven out
mid-division, no real headway 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on flat to take 3rd close home
in rear, blundered 3rd, pulled up after 4th
prominent, took keen hold, led 5th until before 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
prominent when mistake 2nd, chased leaders, dropped to rear approaching 7th, blundered 3 out, tailed off
prominent, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened approaching last
prominent, blundered 1st, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, headed flat, unable to quicken
led until 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out
Arumun comes here after winning at Hexham last time and YELLOW FLAG made an impressive return after a long lay off, whilst Mibleu who carries a penalty for a romping victory last time may find this a more difficult affair. Our selection is Yellow Flag who beat One Of The Boys at Hereford earlier in the month in some style. This was an impressive return for a gelding that had not been seen since 2008. The Jonjo O'Neill trained seven-year-old could double up here and get back-to-back victories. His record in chase company is very good and although likely to face stiff opposition is a sturdy battler and can be victorious once more. Arumun won by a nose when last seen at Hexham so could be in with a chance. Schinken Otto is a previous course and distance winner and has shown bits and pieces of form lately. If finding the top of his game then he could challenge. Ormus also comes here with winning form lately but may find the opposition too good here. Mibleu was highly impressive to win at Worcester by eleven lengths but we will pass him up given the weight he carries in this race. Although this is a tricky race to call we side with Yellow Flag to beat the competition.
Mibleu (FR) 9-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway next, led 7th, jumped right from next, drew clear approaching 3 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf beating Ormello (10-11) by 11l, 7 ran.
King Ozzy (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, last of 11, 36l behind Black Jacari (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Yellow Flag 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway from 5th, chased leader from 2 out, ridden approaching and led last, kept on well, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating One of The Boys (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Coach Lane 9-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, hit 5th, hit 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 5, 45l behind Chicago Alley (10-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, reminders after 4 out, ridden and headway next, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Arumun (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in 5th, pushed along and in touch when brought down 9th, in a race won by Master Charm (11-12) at Southwell 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May, 7 ran.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) In touch, 2nd when jumped left 4 out and 3 out, weakened after last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Elite Land (11-12) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Arumun (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5 out, went 3rd approaching 3 out, led last 100 yards, just held on, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May beating Ice Image (10-3) by ns, 11 ran.
Indiana Gold (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 12th, headed 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 8, 25l behind Soubriquet (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Ormus 15-2 (10-1) In touch, went 3rd approaching 3 out, went 2nd before last, soon challenging, driven to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Stagecoach Pearl (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
One of The Boys (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway to go 2nd at 7th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and not fluent when headed last, kept on, always held by winner near finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Yellow Flag (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Led to 5th, reminders and outpaced 3 out, plugged on and no impression from next, 4th of 8, 20l behind Ruby Isabel (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
