mid-division, ridden after 4th, headway 3 out, stayed on
in touch, headway 4th, weakened quickly next, pulled up flat
led until 4th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly after next, hit last, eased
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 3rd, ridden after 4th, one pace from next
in touch, headway 3rd, ridden after 4th, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway 3rd, led soon after 3 out, kept on well, ridden out
mid-division, short lived effort 3 out
towards rear, short lived effort after 4th
always behind, tailed off
A competitive finale can fall to Flaming Weapon, with Khasab and Ma Yahab also expected to be involved in the finish. Gary Moore's five-year-old showed signs of his old sparkle last time out in a decent race at Fontwell. That was only his second run back after a year's absence and he should now be spot on for this. He ran well this time last year when third to Trompette off a mark of 112 and so he does now look well handicapped and can go close at a decent price. Ma Yahab has earned top-weight with some excellent efforts and has been a shade unfortunate not to win this season. Until the assessor relents he may still have to settle for place money. The dark horse in the race is Khasab who beat subsequent winner President Royal on his hurdles debut. He is open to plenty of improvement and doesn't look harshly treated for his handicap bow. All in all, a wide open affair but Flaming Weapon looks the pick of the weights and he gets our vote.
Ma Yahab 5-2fav (10-4) Chased leaders, hung left and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 8, 24l behind Wizard of Us (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Mister Mustard (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 16l behind Kanad (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jan.
The Local 10-3 (11-11) Led, ridden, not looked keen, headed after 5th, chased winner under pressure after, no chance after 3 out, lost moderate 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Never So Blue (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Khasab (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders 2 out, led before last, all out, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating President Royal (10-0) by 3l, 15 ran.
Song of Vala 4-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair until 5th, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, no chance when jumped slowly left, 7th of 8, 28l behind Iffy (11-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Aug.
Josear 20-1 (10-12) Always prominent, chased winner 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 16, 31l behind Bureaucrat (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '06.
Widely Accepted (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 5th, weakened next, 8th of 10, well behind Amour Multiple (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Habanero 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 17, 38l behind Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Prominent, ridden clear approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 5l behind Warningcamp (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Flaming Weapon 6-1 (11-8) In touch, headway 3 out, chased leader 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 17l behind Hereditary (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Inn For The Dancer 13-2 (11-3) Led to after 2nd, chased winner, still challenging 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Magnesium (11-11) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Dec.
Raydan (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent until ridden and weakened after 4 out, 12th of 15, 41l behind Strawberry (11-3) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft.
Fairly High (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Keen tracking leaders, weakening when mistake 4th, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Private Be (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
