chased leader, led before 4 out, clear when hit 3 out, idled before last, always doing enough flat, driven out
chased leading pair until approaching 5th, soon given reminders, behind after 7th, eased from next, tailed off
held up, mistake 2nd, headway on outside chasing leaders next, 3rd approaching 5th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, stayed on into 2nd flat and closed on idling winner, always held
took keen hold, soon held up in last pair, losing touch when pulled up before 6th
led until headed and dropped to 3rd approaching 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, 2nd before 4 out, ridden after 2 out, dropped to 3rd flat
held up in last pair, ridden after 7th, headway into 3rd before 3 out, weakened before last
Twice a winner over fences including at Wetherby last week, Steel Summit has yet to score over the smaller obstacles. CASTARNIE posted a better effort on his return to action at Plumpton when finishing third and Robert Walford's charge gets a tentative vote with further progress on the cards. Tokyo Javilex landed a hat-trick over fences earlier in the year including a couple of wins here and can race off a lower mark back over hurdles while Flintham may finish closer after a pipe-opener at Uttoxeter.
Flintham 14-1 (10-9) Led until 1st, chased winner until ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 10, 37l behind Minella Present (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Tokyo Javilex (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, mistake 8th, ridden before 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up, in a race won by Bob Ford (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Oct, 7 ran.
Princess Tara (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out until 3 out, pushed along and no extra in 4th before next, 4th of 11, 21l behind Shantou Bob (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Young Cheddar (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th or 6th, went 2nd after next, ridden and no impression when not fluent 2 out, well held last, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Fairytale Theatre (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Steel Summit (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Made all, left well clear 2nd last, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Have You Had Yours (11-2) by 27l, 3 ran.
Eaton Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 5 out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 23l behind Sunshine Buddy (10-13) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
Eastern Witness (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, hit 1st, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Sunshine Buddy (10-13) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft, 14 ran.
Castarnie 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Saint John Henry (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
