held up in mid-division, ridden to go 4th after 4 out, went 3rd next, stayed on same pace, unable to trouble front pair
raced keenly, led, went right last, headed narrowly flat, battled gamely to regain lead towards finish
in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost interest before 5th, soon well behind, tailed off
prominent, chased winner 5th until 4 out, not fluent and weakened next, remote 4th when fell 2 out
tracked winner 2nd until 5th and again 4 out, jumped left last, edged right and led narrowly flat, headed towards finish
held up in rear, headway to dispute 5th 8th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
prominent until 3rd, rallied 5th, weakened 7th, left poor 4th 2 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 4th, switched left after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, hampered 2 out, tailed off
Miss Pross has put in her best performances at Catterick and is passed over here in favour of the progressive pair of PRET A THOU and Russian Flag, with marginal preference for the former. The selection has run his rivals ragged in two recent wins at Warwick and Lingfield. He has a 10lb higher mark to contend with this afternoon but that looks justified and he tends to get an uncontested lead as he just zooms off in front. Zacharova is well-treated on his old form but has plenty to find with Russian Flag on their latest outing at Sandown. The latter rates a big danger here as he has really improved this season. He has now won two and been second in three of his last five starts and a change of tactics and training routine at home has meant that we have seen a much improved performer of late. Polar Gunner is a course winner and his recent form reads fairly well, Knockavilla needs a market check after a three month break but he has been the bridesmaid too often, whilst Amble Forge is a strong traveller who likes soft ground but he looks high enough in the weights. Miss Pross travels as far down south as she ever has but this game mare has had her recent Sedgefield win franked by the runner-up and under a 4lb rise in the weights she is considered. An interesting handicap, where Pret A Thou is selected.
Russian Flag (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Held up, in touch, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, chased leader before last, soon challenging, quickened and pushed along to lead towards finish, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs beating Consigliere (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Pret A Thou (FR) 10-3 (11-1) Made all, in command 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy beating Sole Agent (10-8) by 9l, 8 ran.
Zacharova (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leader until 4th, soon lost place, rear and lost touch 8th, rallied under pressure before 2 out, no danger, 5th of 7, 18l behind Russian Flag (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Polar Gunner 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 24l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Knockavilla (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Led 2nd, mistake 7th, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind April San (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) sft in Nov.
Amble Forge (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 8th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when jumped badly left 3 out, 6th of 9, 45l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Island Life (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led until 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Miss Pross 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to lead 4 out, hard pressed last, ridden, held on under pressure flat, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating Moulin De La Croix (10-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
