chased leaders, led 3 out to 2 out, led last, headed and no extra towards finish
towards rear, struggling halfway
in touch, headway 3 out, effort last, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish
raced keen in touch, headway and effort between last 2, every chance flat, kept on
prominent, led 6th to 8th, left in lead 12th, headed 3 out, led next, headed last, no extra
led to 6th, close up until outpaced when mistake 14th
towards rear, headway and in touch 3 out, no impression from next
towards rear, headway halfway, outpaced 11th, rallied 3 out, soon no impression
close up, led 8th, blundered 12th, soon lost place
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This looks quite competitive and narrow preference is for FREEZE THE FLAME over Tastes Like More and Cornerback. Charlie Egerton's 6-year-old was a little disappointing last time out but he has shown decent form in this sphere and he shapes as though there could be a bit more to come. He has trip and ground to suit and he looks the one to beat. Tastes Like More has shown his best form on ground more testing than this and on that basis he looks opposable today. Cornerback fell last time at Carlisle and she won despite making mistakes previously at Kelso. Her jumping is clearly a cause for concern, but if she can put in a fluent round then she would have a great chance. Starbougg is a consistent sort and she could represent the each-way value in the race. But Freeze The Flame looks progressive and he gets our verdict.
Freeze The Flame (GER) 12-1 (11-5) With leaders, pushed along and lost place after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 18l behind Great Approach (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Billsgrey (IRE) 250-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, driven and dropped rear 5th, no danger after, 4th of 6, 29l behind Professor Higgins (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gf in Mar.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, joined leaders 14th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 40l behind Garleton (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Harry Flashman 10-3 (10-12) Held up, headway to chase leading pair at the 10th, effort next, a poor 3rd when jumped badly left 2 out, went 4th close home, 4th of 8, well behind Franc Villez (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jul.
Jimandgary (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 5th, pushed along after next, lost place approaching 9th, tailed off 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind Jokers Legacy (11-3) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Scuzme (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place when blundered 8th, no danger after, 5th of 8, 38l behind Naval Attache (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Mar.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Always behind, blundered 4 out and 3 out, soon beaten, last of 7, 28l behind Super Baby (11-3) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Starbougg 5-1 (10-7) Led until headed and stayed prominent 5th, hit 7th, ridden approaching 3 out and gradually weakened from next, 4th of 8, 11l behind Grand Theatre (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Turbulent Flight 33-1 (9-11) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 46l behind Naval Attache (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Mar.
Cornerback (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, fell 9th, in a race won by Garleton (10-4) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, challenged when hit 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Le Beau Bai (11-5) at Carlisle 3m nov stks (3) hvy in Mar.
