in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders until hampered on bend approaching 4 out, soon behind
prominent, headway 4th, chased winner from 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace last
prominent 1st, soon ridden along, behind when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, weakening when mistake 2 out
mid-division, ridden along 4th, soon behind
held up, headway 4 out, ran on from 2 out, nearest finish
led 1st, headed, led again 4th, clear 2 out easily
keen led 2nd to 3rd, tracked leader until weakened rapidly after 5th
always behind
A modest finale can go to The Fairy Flag, with his main dangers seen as Motcomb, Honey¿s Gift, Lilac and Comete du Lac. The selection has already won three times over hurdles, loves soft going and has to be seriously competitive at this level. Motcomb has shown some promise and might appreciate the softer going today. Tony McCoy has been booked for Honey¿s Gift, although the George Margarson-trained mare has yet to conclusively prove that she stays this trip. Richard Johnson has been booked for Lilac, who won a Uttoxeter handicap from a mark of 77 in the summer. She is now rated 84 but ought to go well here, the caveat being that she has no form on soft. A return to the level of her 2001 French form would make Comete du Lac interesting and she will love the underfoot conditions. Of the others, Jenavive has been placed at up to 14 furlongs on the Flat, albeit at a modest level, and she too lacks form on soft. Overall, then, the percentages lead us to side with The Fairy Flag.
