tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, weakened before last
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 2nd, jumped left next, headed 7th, not fluent next, ridden and jumped left last 3 fences, no impression from 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, led after 1st, headed next, led 7th, jumped left last 3 fences (badly left 2 out), joined last, just prevailed
in touch towards rear on outside, hit 3rd, pecked next, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until after 1st, stayed handy, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 9th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, hit 3rd, mistake 8th, headway after next, jumped left final 4 fences, chased winner when hit 3 out, challenged last, just held
RUSSIAN FLAG hasn't won since landing this race last year off a 4lb higher mark. He posted a much better effort when going close at Hereford last time, however, and may prove a bit of value against the likely favourite Current Event. The latter bids for his fourth straight win today and should be thereabouts on his handicap bow along with the returning Trooper Clarence and Oceana Gold, who were separated by less than a length when the former won at Exeter in October. Great Kicker has been placed on his last couple of starts but is facing stiffer competition in this contest and Carleton Place has been out of form.
Current Event (FR) 2-9fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 5th, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (4) gs beating Nobunaga (10-7) by 10l, 4 ran.
Trooper Clarence 9-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, edged left flat, held on, won at Exeter 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) fm in Oct beating Oceana Gold (11-5) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Oceana Gold 5-1 (11-5) Prominent, lost place when not fluent 3rd, bumped 5th, soon closed, challenging when mistake 4 out, not fluent next, left 2nd 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Trooper Clarence (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) fm in Oct.
Russian Flag (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Raced in last place, ridden before 7th, challenging final 100yds, held final strides, 2nd of 3, nk behind Mister Matt (10-4) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Intac (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up, jumped slowly 4th, headway 16th, mistake 21st, lost touch from 24th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) fm in Nov, 8 ran.
Carleton Place (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, went 5th before 4th, never on terms, struggling 4 out, tailed off when mistake 2 out, 5th of 6, 37l behind Amaury De Lusignan (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Great Kicker (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased clear leaders, took closer order 3 out, went 2nd after next, never able to challenge, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Bay Central (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
