very slowly away, keen close up in 4th after 2f, went 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
raced green, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression
Flag Festival was well beaten at Chelmsford on his racecourse debut and stablemate TABERNAS (NAP) makes more appeal. The latter was only beaten a couple of lengths over a mile here last time and can open his account over today’s longer trip with Charlie Appleby’s yard in such good form. Battle Lines is getting steadily closer without yet threatening to win while The Jungle Vip went close at Southwell on his introduction only to disappoint at Chelmsford last time. Swordcraft sports headgear on his debut but is still worth a second glance.
Battle Lines 25-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on, went 3rd well inside final furlong, unable to challenge, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Glencadam Master (9-2) at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Dec.
Flag Festival 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division on outside, pushed along over 3f out, well beaten final 2f, 7th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Gronkowski (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
Swordcraft (IRE) Mastercraftsman colt out of Al Thumama.
Tabernas (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 13, 2l behind Tansheet (9-2) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Sep.
The Jungle Vip 4-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Best Blue (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m mdn stks (3) pol in Dec.
