made all, came well clear before 2 out, unchallenged
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along 6th, soon lost place, pulled up after 9th
chased winner until 2 out, weakened into 5th when pulled up before last
unseated rider 1st
held up in rear but in touch, under pressure 3 out, struggling and no chance after
held up in touch, headway into 3rd and ridden after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with unchallenged winner
LAHARNA may have been a tad fortunate to win last time but the opposition today looks thin on the ground and he is selected in preference to Mucho Loco. The win at Huntingdon was the first success of the gelding¿s career. Having had his injury problems in the past, the nine-year-old is still lightly raced and assuming that he is fine after that win and doesn't bounce, then he can defy a 6lb higher mark. Narlen made his chasing debut last time; formerly trained in the Czech Republic, his form over hurdles since running here has been average and his fencing debut was hardly any better. Mucho Loco does at least know how to win. Although just a plater over hurdles, he could improve for these bigger obstacles but a lot must be taken on trust, not least his jumping for this debut. Skipper's Lad was unfancied last time out in a hot race at Ascot; he ran as his price of 25/1 suggested he might, having been tailed off when unseating his jockey two from home. Dallool was fifth in that race, Funny Fellow's jumping has let him down, whilst Amir El Jabal has been disappointing under both codes since coming across from France and could only be backed if the subject of a sustained gamble. Not a good race and Laharna can win again.
Amir El Jabal (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, headway approaching 2nd, led 4th, ridden and headed after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Lord Ryeford (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 8th, behind when swerved badly right and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Baseball Ted (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Funny Fellow 33-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Baseball Ted (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Dallool 33-1 (10-8) Towards rear as mid-division, badly hampered 7th, never able to get on terms, 5th of 13, 25l behind Baseball Ted (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Laharna 9-2 (10-7) Always prominent, raced keenly, left in lead 2 out, hung right flat, stayed on under pressure, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec beating Russian Flag (11-3) by 1l, 12 ran.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 23l behind Star Tenor (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Narlen (CZE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, went distant 4th after 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 40l behind Fix The Rib (11-0) at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (4) gd.
