led until headed 5 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leader, led 5 out, headed next, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on
in touch, lost place 7th, pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
An interesting five-runner affair sees L'Antartique, Flintoff and Regal Heights as the shortlisted trio, with the vote going to L'Antartique. Flintoff showed plenty of promise when second to Princippe Azzurro at Towcester in November and his latest effort may have come too soon after that. He is respected but L'Antartique's second to Royal Rosa at Wetherby last time is the pick of the form of these runners, we feel, and he is the one to beat. A very good hurdler, Regal Heights will probably find this race more to his liking than when in the ruck behind My Way de Solzen last time, and Killing Me Softly is no mug but others are preferred for win purposes today. Chief among these is our selection, L'Antartique.
Killing Me Softly 10-1 (11-0) Blundered 1st, never going well after, ridden 7th, behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Marcel (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
L'Antartique (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked winner to 8th, headway and effort approaching 4 out, ridden and 3 lengths down last, soon no impression, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Royal Rosa (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (2) sft.
Regal Heights (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Always behind, hit 8th, soon lost touch, 5th of 7, 45l behind My Way de Solzen (11-5) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Tight Corner (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) With leader until 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Ladino (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul, 15 ran.
Flintoff (USA) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, chased winner from next, weakened after 4 out, hit next, finished tired, 2nd of 7, well behind Hoh Viss (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft.
