held up last, in touch, headway to go 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, led narrowly last, hard pressed flat, headed and no extra near finish
tracked leading pair, headway and in touch when blundered 4 out, led before 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly last, rallied to regain lead near finish (no time taken)
tracked leader, led 9th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 7 length down in 3rd when mistake last, weakened flat
led, not fluent 5th, blundered 8th, headed next, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Although he had problems with his jumping, LITTLE JOSH comfortably justified short odds when taking a race at Kelso in November and he looks to be well enough treated in a handicap today and gets the vote to resume winning ways at the main expense of Russian Flag and Panjo Bere. Gary Moore's gelding ran well in defeat behind Russian Flag at Sandown earlier this month and the stable continues in good form so he has to be respected racing off the same mark today. Lorient Express has struggled against the handicapper this term after a successful spell last season and of more interest is I'msingingtheblues. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has not been at his best this term but is only 5lbs higher than when scoring at Doncaster a year ago so he cannot be ruled out. Oliver Sherwood's Andreas looked to be struggling prior to unseating his rider on his reappearance at Doncaster earlier this month and of more interest may be Neil King's Russian Flag, who was good value for his win at Sandown recently and has every chance having been raised just 4lbs for that win. He looks the main danger to the selection, Little Josh, who is taken to bounce back to winning ways and has solid claims if his jumping holds up.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 2out, 7th of 15, 20l behind Kalahari King (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs.
Panjo Bere (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Close up, disputing 4th place, chased leading pair from 6th, ridden to challenge 3 out, one pace before last, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Russian Flag (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Andreas (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Kalahari King (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs, 15 ran.
Lorient Express (FR) 33-1 (9-11) Led, mistake and headed 8th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Kalahari King (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs.
Little Josh (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up until fell 1st, in a race won by Fortification (10-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Russian Flag (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Held up, in touch, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, chased leader before last, soon challenging, quickened and pushed along to lead towards finish, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs beating Consigliere (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
