Neptune Equester's defeat of Scotswell at Kelso has been franked and he had the frustrating Fill The Power behind at that track in October - he'll be thereabouts here if in the same mood. Green Flag and Rose Of The Moon have form in better company while Habbie Simpson pounced late to beat Riskier over 2m4f here last time and is only 4lb higher. Premier Grand Cru may struggle to last home over this longer trip however. TUTCHEC won this last year off a 4lb lower mark and a repeat may be on the cards as he ran well in a Listed handicap here in November. The form of that race is working out with the second and fifth winning since so Nicky Richards' gelding gets the vote.
Green Flag (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, towards rear, 14th (foinavon), weakened 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 25, well behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and weakened 14th, 6th of 11, 22l behind Dolatulo (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Fill The Power (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Prominent, blundered 1st, soon led, reminders after 8th, headed next, rallied 4 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Broadway Buffalo (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) In touch, hit 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 12, 50l behind Wicked Spice (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Tutchec (FR) 7-1 (10-10) With leader, led 9th, headed after next, blundered 11th, soon lost place, struggling next, stayed on to take 4th after last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 9, 10l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Nov.
Habbie Simpson 17-2 (10-6) Held up in touch, driven and outpaced before 4 out, ridden after next, 4 lengths down in 4th 2 out, rallied flat, led near finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Riskier (10-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Premier Grand Cru (FR) 6-1 (10-9) In touch till blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Bobcatbilly (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Neptune Equester 5-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 20th, went 4th before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, driven out, won at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Dec beating Scotswell (10-11) by 9l, 10 ran.
