GREEN FLAG has to concede a stone to all of his rivals but looks capable of doing so. Lucinda Russell's charge was beaten by Maggio on faster going at Kelso last month but had that rival behind when encountering testing going at Kelso last time and today's conditions are in his favour. It's difficult to know what to make of Baltimoar, who looked a very tricky ride when landing a Carlisle bumper then was beaten at long odds-on in a similar race here. He's probably best watched for now while Coddington Boy was beaten a long way on his debut at Taunton and will need massive improvement though he's sure to have come on for the run. Lost Legend won a point-to-point on heavy ground and made a promising hurdling debut but ran poorly at Chepstow three weeks ago.
Green Flag (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, clear 2 out, pressed after last, edged left run-in, asserted towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) hvy beating Maggio (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Ballycool (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 15, 42l behind Woodpole Academy (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) hvy.
Baltimoar (IRE) 4-11fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Ballyben (10-4) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov.
Coddington Boy 28-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and some headway 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 13, 30l behind Kenai Peninsula (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Hidden Springs 150-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Midnight Appeal (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Lost Legend (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, outpaced when hit 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 9, 25l behind The Romford Pele (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Milan Royale 20-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 36l behind Malapie (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
