in touch on outer, weakened after 8th, pulled up after 3 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 9th, pulled up after 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, disputed lead 2 out and going well, soon drew clear, easily
towards rear, headway after 3 out, kept on from last
held up towards rear, headway 9th, hit 3 out, disputed lead next, soon beaten
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 9th, soon weakened
close up, weakened after 2 out
led, headed 5th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from last
held up, not fluent 1st, headway after 8th to chase leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, headway on inner 4th, led next, headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
prominent, lost place 6th, soon in rear, rallied and headway on inner from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Divy is becoming frustrating to follow and a chance is taken here on FLAMING CHARLIE on this first run of the season; Global Warming may be next best. The selection is one of several former point-to-pointers in the line-up and he made a fair start under rules when fourth at Uttoxeter back in May. His win between the flags came in testing ground so with conditions no problem today he may be hard to beat. Divy looked smart in bumpers but has so far come up short over hurdles. The ground may not be ideal for him and he has stamina to prove. Global Warming's third to Aldertune at Plumpton reads fairly well and he needs a market check, as does Shinrock Hill who makes his debut under rules today after a point-to-point win at Kilsheelan in October. Royal Chatelier is interesting on debut, whilst Pension Plan and Playing The Field have more experience and the former's second to Horsford at Chepstow looks solid form for this grade. At a price Raphiell could surprise a few, however the nomination is given to Flaming Charlie.
Cool Defender 100-1 (10-11) Always behind pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Divy (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Prominent, ridden after 8th, beaten when not fluent last, no extra, 5th of 16, 9l behind Benartic (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Flaming Charlie (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, every chance 3 out, no extra when hit last, 4th of 15, 12l behind Dreamy Sweeney (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Global Warming (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, steady headway on inner approaching 3 out, 4th when hit 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on steadily into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Aldertune (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
King Eloi Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of Mobile Miss.
Maska Pony (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 8th, no impression from 3 out, 6th of 15, 16l behind Wayward Prince (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Pension Plan 4-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and effort to challenge 3 out, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Horsford (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Playing The Field (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Babysitter (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Radical Bay 200-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Benartic (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Raphiell (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, led to 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 48l behind Pearlysteps (11-0) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Royal Chatelier (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 13, 15l behind De Forgotten Man (11-3) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Shinrock Hill (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Mainly 3rd till 2nd 3out, 3rd 2out, prog to ld bef last, sow, won at Kilsheelan 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Our Only Option (12-0) by 8l, 17 ran.
Dermatologiste 17-2 (10-2) Raced wide, chased leading trio, lost ground at 5th, renewed effort when mistake 9th, struggling 11th, well behind when mistake 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Emergency Exit (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 4 ran.
Once Before (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, lost place next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Milans Man (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
