chased leading pair, bumped 1st and next, went 2nd 3rd until pushed along before 3 out, close 3rd, hampered on inside 3 out and next, not much room last, driven and stayed on run, led close home
jumped right, led before 3rd, went badly right and hit 3 out, went right again next, went right again last, headed and no extra close home
whipped round in standing start and lost many lengths, last pair, reached 6th and pushed along before 3 out, no further headway
raced wide, chased leading trio, closer 4 out, challenged in 2nd on outside 3 out, ridden and every chance run-in, no extra in 3rd towards finish
held up off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, 4th and held when hit 2 out
off the pace in mid-division, closer 4 out, weakened before next
always behind
off the pace in mid-division, closer 4 out, pushed along and weakened before next
held up in last trio, behind and tailed off 4 out
soon held up towards rear, never on terms
led until before 3rd, tracked leading pair, 2nd again before 3 out, soon pushed along and lost 2nd 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
held up in last pair, pushed along and no headway before 3 out, plugged on from next
Comber Mill won this last year when only 2lb lower but his form since, mostly over fences, has left much to be desired. Red Mix was disappointing making his debut for Richard Newland at Sandown and quickly reverts to hurdles. He is capable of better but may be too close in the weights to FLASHING GLANCE (NAP). Suited by sharp tracks like this and only a pound higher than when successful here a year ago, the top weight ran well reunited with Richard Johnson at Cheltenham last month and the champion is in the saddle again today. Mad Jack Mytton still isn’t back to his best while Stylish Dancer is returning from a break. Sparkleandshine has switched stables since a beaten favourite at Huntingdon in December.
Flashing Glance 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, hit 4th, led when mistake 3 out, headed before not fluent last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 5 1/4l behind Benny's Bridge (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Red Mix (FR) 4-1cfav (10-2) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Off the pace in 4th after 2nd, ridden 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner, one pace, 4th of 8, 24 3/4l behind Turning Gold (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Sparkleandshine (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, weakened after next, 11th of 12, 35l behind William H Bonney (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Behind, headway 5 out, chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, went 2nd approaching and fell next, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Cold Shoulder 33-1 (10-1) Mid-division, driven after 4 out, never reached leaders, weakened next, 8th of 12, dist behind Ballyandy (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Jacobite Rising (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Jumped right, led until 1st, stayed prominent, hampered 2nd, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Mcgroarty (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Stylish Dancer 11-8 (10-10) Led until before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 29 1/4l behind Yensir (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Jul.
Old Harry Rocks (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Last pair, some headway after 4 out, weakened on long run before 2 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Oakley (11-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Avantgardist (GER) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division in well strung out field, some headway from 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 16, 33l behind Howling Milan (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gd in Jan.
Comber Mill (FR) 11-1 (11-11) Prominent when fell 2nd, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Stephanie Sunshine (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost position from before 4 out, no impression straight and unseated rider 2 out, at Cork 2m mdn gd in Aug.
