mid-division, headway 4 out, led after 2 out, ridden, stayed on to go clear flat
mid-division, in touch 7th, ridden, outpaced approaching 4 out, no impression from next
behind, reminders 9th, outpaced 5 out, 7th last, stayed on well flat, never nearer
behind, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
held up, struggling 9th, lost touch, pulled up before 12th
led, ridden when blundered 2 out, soon headed, 3 lengths down when mistake last, no extra
tracked leader, lost place 11th, outpaced 4 out, one pace next
in touch, chased leader 11th to 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, outpaced 4 out, no impression from next
This looks a good opportunity for BATTLECRY who is taken to get the better of Flake and Frankie Figg. The Nigel Twiston-Davies yard are in good form and Battlecry can provide them with another winner here. It was a decent effort from this 9-year-old last time to chase home Watch My Back at Doncaster and a reproduction of that effort might just suffice here. He was once quite useful and he showed enough that day to suggest that he might be on his way back. Flake has got a fair strike-rate over fences and he does tend to reserve his best form for this track. He won well when last seen out and he certainly looks one to consider. Frankie Figg has been off the track since November but that could be a plus as he goes well fresh. He is prone to jumping errors, but if he can get his act together over the fences then he would have a big chance. Yes Sir has won over the course and distance and he has been running in some hot company. He is back on a more attractive mark and he could be capable of running into a place. Bible Lord won here back in October but his jumping has since let him down. We will return to Battlecry as the one to beat.
Sa Suffit (FR) 10-3fav (11-3) Chased leaders, behind and struggling from soon after 9th, 8th of 12, 16l behind French Opera (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Dec.
Bible Lord (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Regal Heights (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, losing place when mistake 16th, behind when pulled up 18th, in a race won by Galant Nuit (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Kia Kaha 20-1 (10-8) In rear, lost touch 9th, 10th of 12, well behind Our Vic (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Calatagan (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, hung right flat, 8th of 13, 22l behind Sendali (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Donaldson (GER) 40-1 (11-12) Not fluent, mid-division, mistake 11th, struggling next, tailed off, 8th of 12, dis behind Fistral Beach (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Battlecry 10-1 (11-6) Led, headed approaching 8th, led 6 out, left clear 5 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 11l behind Watch My Back (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Yes Sir (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased winner to 7th, stayed chasing leaders until weakened 12th, soon tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind The Sawyer (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led, headed 10th, regained lead 12th, fell 14th, in a race won by Dev (10-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Flake 9-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec beating Canada Street (10-8) by 8l, 7 ran.
