held up in touch, steady headway and hit 8th, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led 2 out, in command before last and stayed on well
took keen hold, held up in touch, steady headway 7th, mistake and driven after 3 out, rallied under pressure before 2 out, edged right and stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders until driven and lost place 7th, behind and no chance after
behind until fell 2nd
led until headed 6th, chased leader until weakened 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders in 4th, tracked leading pair 7th, led approaching 4 out, driven and headed 2 out, weakened and lost 2 places flat
held up in rear, mistake 4th, reminder 6th, blundered 8th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd near finish
pressed leader, not fluent 2nd, led and mistake 6th, headed approaching 4 out, chased leaders after until weakened and mistake 2 out
In a wide open contest where a shortlist could include six names we opt to place SEBASTIANO at the top of that list with Rapid Increase and Russian Flag also close to heading the names. Gary Moore has and excellent record at Plumpton and that could be an important factor when trying to split these runners and an advantage that our selection has on his side. Sebastiano is starting to show some form with a decent effort in bottomless ground last time over course and distance and having won off a mark just one pound lighter over timber he could be well treated. Jonjo O'Neill's Rapid Increase is similarly well off based on old hurdles form but has only been solid at best over fences so far. That said the trip and ground will be right up his street. Russian Flag has been ultra consistent recently without scoring in similar events and his task is no easier today with the assessor granting a three pound rise. Cases could also be made of Colliers Court, American World and Sumdancer but we'll side with a yard in form and Gray Moore¿s Sebastiano.
Russian Flag (FR) 11-4jt-fav (10-11) Prominent, led after 4th, headed 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Amble Forge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Sebastiano (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leading pair, mistake 5th, ridden and no impression on long run to 6th, tailed off, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Restless D'artaix (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, reminders after 8th, never on terms, 7th of 13, 19l behind Battlefield (10-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Soon pushed along, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 37l behind Pret A Thou (11-0) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (4) sft in Feb.
Colliers Court 40-1 (10-5) Led, clear 4th, ridden and headed when bumped flat, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Battlefield (10-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Sumdancer (NZ) 16-1 (10-2) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, looked likely winner last, idled flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Bugsy's Boy (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
American World (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway and just about in touch 9th, no impression from 3 out, went poor 4th flat, 4th of 10, 25l behind Valentia Island (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Glengarra (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-3) Led until blundered and headed 10th, chased leading pair after until weakened under pressure soon after 3 out, 5th of 9, 36l behind Lutin Collonges (10-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
