prominent in main group, not fluent 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
took keen hold, prominent in main group, not fluent 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, kept on well flat
chased clear leader until approaching 4th, 2nd again 5th, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakening when fell 2 out
held up in main group, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division in main group, headway approaching 4th, weakened after 3 out
in touch in main group,went 2nd approaching 4th until 5th, weakened after 3 out
not fluent in rear, behind from 4th
held up in main group, behind 4th, never dangerous
held up in main group, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never nearer
led and soon clear, came back to field approaching 4th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway on inside after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on flat but no impression
Yellow Flag was good value for his win at Fakenham last time but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has harshly been raised 18lbs for that success and on this softer surface preference is for Oldrik, who gets the vote over Stravara. The last mentioned is relatively unexposed over hurdles after just three starts and Reg Hollinshead's gelding could be of interest on his debut in a handicap. Command Marshal has shown signs of ability but has yet to prove that he handles conditions as testing as this, while Double The Trouble needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. In a moderate finale it is Oldrik that gets the vote. The Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding has shown a reasonable level of form of late and reproduction of recent efforts may well suffice.
Yellow Flag 4-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 5th, chased leader 3 out, led next, clear last, eased close home, won at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov beating Rapscallion (11-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
Oldrik (GER) 6-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Cottingham (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Stravara 150-1 (11-4) Held up, headway after 5th, shaken up after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 7, 19l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Command Marshal (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakening when mistake 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cottingham (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Willing Weasel (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 8th of 14, 35l behind Mous Of Men (11-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Trampoline King (USA) 11-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place before 6th, rallied and headway after 9th, chased leaders 2 out, soon one pace, 7th of 15, 14l behind Apadi (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Always Baileys (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) In touch, every chance 2 out, mistake last, one pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Breaking Shadow (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Tudor Buck (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Took keen hold, held up, headway when blundered badly 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Pamak D'airy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
The Grandchild (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up behind, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 20, 16l behind Random Native (11-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Double The Trouble 66-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Primitive Academy (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Yes Ses Les 100-1 (9-9) Pulled hard, led 1st, headed approaching 8th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Amble Forge (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Keen, headway after 5th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 4th of 11, 15l behind Cockatoo (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
