mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, eased flat
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, well behind 6th, no impression after
tracked leaders, pulled hard, challenged 7th until 2 out, weakened flat
made virtually all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out, eased flat
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 7th, every chance when fell 3 out
in touch, lost place 4th, weakened after 7th
mistakes, chased winner until after 5th, weakened approaching 7th
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, switched left after 3 out, soon wandered, 4th and held when mistake last, weakened last
mid-division, headway after 4th, mistake next, beaten before 3 out
in rear, headway when slightly hampered 3 out, went 2nd after last, no impression on winner
in touch, lost place 5th, headway 7th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Timmy Murphy has only had four rides (0 winners) for Bernard Llewellyn in the past few seasons so a big run may be anticipated from Flexible Friend however we will come down on the side of NOMAD who has been out in the wilderness of late but may appreciate a return to hurdles this evening. The selection was well-held last time out over fences at Newton Abbott but a repeat of his previous fourth to Phoenix Des Mottes in August may be enough to take this. He wasn't disgraced in October behind Dee Ee Williams at Cheltenham and likely to strip fitter for his recent comeback run he is narrowly preferred in what looks a weak race. Classic Lea may do better now handicapping at a very lowly level off a mark of 83, Crystal Prince has looked a man's ride and tries the cheek-pieces today, whilst Robert Thornton is an interesting booking for Paul Henderson on Prince De Lacour. Robin Des Bank represents a yard in great form and this is a drop in class although he has stamina to prove, as does Queen Excalibur but she has the services of Isabel Tompsett and her 7lb claim to aid her chance. Irish challenger Rince Down steps up in trip; back over hurdles this mark of 87 may prove to be lenient with top jockey AP McCoy booked for the ride. Pips Assertive Way is a good yardstick for this level and may give some worth to the form, however we will take a chance on Nomad.
Flexible Friend (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, modest 5th when switched right 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 36l behind Miss Phoebe (10-2) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Stage Right 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 35l behind Downing Street (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Royaltea 11-1 (11-5) Pulled hard, prominent, led 3 out, ridden flat, headed close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Pips Assertive Way (11-9) at Worcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Jun.
Pips Assertive Way 9-1 (10-0) Led briefly before 1st, prominent, mistake 6th, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 37l behind Miss Phoebe (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Rince Donn (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Well off pace towards rear, closer order approaching 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace under pressure from after next, 7th of 15, 12l behind Max Speed (10-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-109 gf in Jun.
Henri Prends Garde (FR) 66-1 (11-8) Mid-division, lost place 8th, pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Rocky Ryan (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl (5) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Nomad (FR) 12-1 (9-10) Jumped left, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Dan Ryan (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Classic Lea 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, soon weakened, no chance when blundered last, 7th of 12, well behind Hope Road (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Crystal Prince 18-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 19l behind Obara d'Avril (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Prince De Lacour (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, 16th of 17, 40l behind Danish Monarch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Queen Excalibur 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 46l behind Pips Assertive Way (11-9) at Worcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Jun.
Shrewd Dude 33-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 17, 22l behind Danish Monarch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Hathaal (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bundle Up (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May, 17 ran.
Robin des Bank (FR) 25-1 (9-11) Pressed leader, raced keenly, led after 3rd, awkward before 2 out where mistake and headed, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 6l behind Cove Mountain (10-13) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
