Flintham

16th-Jan-2016

Flintham has been disappointing on his last three runs, his last run last season and his first two runs this season, but there were excuses for all three.  The ground was too fast at Aintree on his final run last season in the Sefton Hurdle at Aintree, and the competition was very hot anyway – that race was won by Thistlecrack.  His debut this season was his first run over fences, and he never really took to them, while, on his latest run, he was weak in the market and he was up there with a fast pace at Cheltenham on ground that was not as soft as ideal.

He should be much happier today on heavy ground and back down a little in grade against lesser opposition. Also, the handicapper dropped him 4lb after his Cheltenham run to a mark of 138, and that gives him a real chance.

A brother to Coneygree and Carruthers, he was a progressive novice last season, he won three of four races on the bounce, and he wasn’t disgraced in the other, behind Three Musketeers in the Leamington Hurdle on this card last year.  Like his brothers, he loves soft ground and a stamina test, which is what he will get today.

FLINTHAM WON (ADV 10/1, SP 7/1)