chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 12th, not fluent next, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression flat
led until 4th, hit 5th, reminders before 10th, driven 12th, soon weakened, tailed off
pressed leader, led 4th until 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, led 11th until before 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on gamely to draw clear flat
raced in last, not fluent and on and off bridle, hit 5th, mistake 9th, behind 11th, pulled up before 12th
Some lovely old boys on show here and narrow preference is for HARMONY BRIG ahead of Coq Hardi and Catch The Perk. Blinkers are tried for the first time on the selection but he is used to headgear, having sported cheek-pieces in the past. He is a course winner and has won on decent ground before so with Barry Geraghty an eye-catching jockey booking he is narrowly preferred. Catch The Perk is in better form than most and he was a winner at Haydock when last seen in October. Coq Hardi was a faller at Cheltenham in January but has been given a break since. He is in this race for a lot of money but he has the solid level of form to his name and has every right to give his rivals weight and a beating if near his best. Marleybow is another to drop in grade and this son of Presenting should relish any further drying of the ground; he disappointed last time but is worth another chance. El Banditos is flattered by the proximity of his second to Noble Alan here last month but still rates a danger off this weight, whilst fencing newcomer Aurifex may find this just a little too tough. Another chance is given to the old warrior Harmony Brig.
Coq Hardi (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Chasing leaders when fell 5th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Marleybow (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led to 9th, tracked leader, lost place 13th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Bene Lad (10-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 3rd, weakened 5th, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Federstar (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 12th, slightly outpaced after 14th, rallied approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct beating Thai Vango (10-9) by 14l, 6 ran.
El Bandindos (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th, remained close up, ridden to chase easy winner 4 out, kept on, blundered last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Noble Alan (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Mar.
Aurifex (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Alw prom, no ex final mile, 5th of 17, 12l behind Warhead (11-7) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp gf in May '08.
