led, hard pressed when hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra last
held up, headway after 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after next, weakened well before 2 out
tracked leader until hit 4th, mistake next, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along briefly after 4th, under pressure before 6th, good headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, in command last, ran on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden after next, every chance when mistake 3 out, weakened well before 2 out where mistake
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway when mistake 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd last but no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until ridden before next, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Former smart Flat performer Carte Diamond could make a mockery of his mark but he has a bit to prove so the solid credentials of SON OF FLICKA appeal more with Hello Nod, Loco Grande and Norma Hill all considered. Carte Diamond ran a blinder in the 2005 Caulfield Cup but he suffered from serious injuries just afterwards and didn't return to action until 2008. He's posted the odd fair run in that time without suggesting that he can attain his previous heights but is unexposed over hurdles and has to be of interest. Son Of Flicka was fairly highly tried last term and acquitted himself well in the main. He's been absent since a below par run in the Sidney Banks Memorial over a trip that may have stretched him. He should be capable of making further progress this term and he may be able to make the perfect start to the season. Hello Nod won well at Kelso and has claims if in the same form whilst Norma Hill could feature on her best form but she's had her problems. Loco Grande has gone up by 9lbs for winning a juvenile hurdle over course and distance in February which looks pretty harsh on the face of things although the second and third have franked the form. The others are by no means forlorn hopes but they aren't of as much interest as Son Of Flicka.
Norma Hill 20-1 (11-3) Led 1st, remained prominent, lost place after 3 out, 7th of 15, 13l behind Toshi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Hello Nod 11-2 (10-10) Always prominent, challenged going well 2 out, stayed on to lead flat, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Caravel (11-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, kept on towards finish, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sep beating Mister Benedictine (11-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Carte Diamond (USA) 11-1 (11-0) Started slowly, good headway after 3 out, chased leaders and hit 2 out, blundered last and pulled up flat Pulled Up, in a race won by Penzance (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar '05, 23 ran.
Rockiteer (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, raced keenly, led approaching 5th, headed 6th, blundered 3 out, soon lost place, hampered after 2 out, 7th of 15, 12l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Loco Grande (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Moment Present (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sweet World 11-2 (11-1) Mistake 1st, held up well in rear, steady headway 3 out, kept on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Rock Me (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Tora Petcha (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, pushed along after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 14l behind Weather Front (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Son Of Flicka 5-2fav (11-3) Prominent, hit 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 20l behind Time For Rupert (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
