Henry Daly has his string in fine form and FLASHJACK (NAP) took advantage of a tumbling mark to storm home ahead of a previous winner over a similar trip at Warwick on New Year’s Eve. That was a conditionals’ race so he escapes a penalty and Richard Johnson’s presence in the saddle is another plus. Misty Mai has been chasing but stays well and has won over timber. Kalmbeforethestorm was returning from a lengthy absence when just beaten at Newton Abbot in September but has been off the track again since. Invicta Lake would have each-way claims on past form but Harry Hunt last ran over hurdles almost a year ago and was tailed off.
Max Forte (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Held up, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, pushed along 6th, behind from 8th, pulled up after 13th, at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) gs in Dec.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) In touch on outside, hit 2nd, outpaced before 4 out, soon ridden, weakening when not fluent 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Dandy Duke (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Jennys Day (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, never a factor, 8th of 10, dist behind Trans Express (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Harry Hunt 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent and dropped to mid-division 6th, closed 12th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, plugged on in modest 4th after, 4th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Vinnie Lewis (11-11) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ceann Sibheal (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off when left remote 4th approaching last, 4th of 7, dist behind Malapie (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Held up in 5th or 6th, headway 4th, pushed along chasing leading trio after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Golan Fortune (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Misty Mai (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) In rear, led 6th, headed 10th, led again 4 out, kept on well from 2 out, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Astigos (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Kalmbeforethestorm 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, 3rd after 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led before not fluent last, headed post, 2nd of 4, shd behind Gamain (11-7) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Flashjack (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway and in touch on outside after 7th, led next, driven clear from 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Definately Vinnie (10-3) by 8l, 8 ran.
Sahara Haze 8-1 (11-5) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, rallied 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Cheque En Blanc (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
