held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd towards finish, not reach leading pair
tracked leader, led over 6f out to over 1f out, kept chasing winner after, but held final 100 yards
close up, ridden over 1f out, not quicken, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon driven, held on well final 100 yards, pushed out towards finish
led to over 6f out, stayed chasing leader to over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out
steadied start, settled behind, ridden over 2f out, never in contention
always toward rear, ridden and struggling final 2f
in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon hanging left, weakened entering final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders and effort over 1f out, not pace to challenge, faded well inside final furlong
A nice competitive start to proceedings where FOLLOW THE FLAG has the strongest claims on recent form and has the selection ahead of Indy Driver and Prince Noel. The selection ran well under this mark to land a place in a similar event over course and distance last time. The form from the race looks strong viewed through the winner Brouhaha, who the pick was within a length of, and this looks easier. Indy Driver is still a maiden but has twice come close to breaking that tag off this rating, including in a handicap at Southwell in September. James Fanshawe's gelding has been off for 105 days but should be ready and his pilot looks capable. Prince Noel has mainly been running in sellers and claimers this winter while his mark has remained on the high side. Those have produced some solid efforts to land some place cash and he now looks well handicapped. Also to enter calculations would be Monfils Monfils with the gelding also carrying a competitive weight but the form pick is Follow The Flag.
Black Dahlia 16-1 (9-10) Mid-division, effort over 3f, no impression, 15th of 18, 21l behind Spring Goddess (9-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Obezyana (USA) 20-1 (8-0) Soon led, headed over 3f out, one pace, 5th of 8, 6l behind Mr Macattack (8-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Indy Driver 15-8fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway 3f out, hung left and led 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Barliffey (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Brouhaha (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 8-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, took 3rd final strides, no chance with first two, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Brouhaha (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Ninth House (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, led 7f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 12l behind Plush (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Kabeer 25-1 (9-2) Close up, tracked leader halfway, eased approaching 2f out, short of room soon after, virtually pulled up final furlong, last of 12, well behind Bee Stinger (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Prince Noel 15-2 (8-4) Held up, pushed along and headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind New Star (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Downhill Skier (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Always rear division, 9th of 10, 27l behind Highly Regal (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
