behind, reminders 8th, weakened 14th, lost touch 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders on outside, dropped to mid-division 7th, outpaced 13th, weakened 4 out, pulled up next
pressed winner, lost place after 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 3rd last
mid-division, dropped to rear 11th, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
tracked leaders on inside, disputed close up 3rd when fell 13th
mistake 1st, in rear, hit 7th, chased leaders 4 out, effort on outside when pecked next, stayed on to go 3rd last, no chance with winner
made all, drew clear from 2 out, eased towards finsh, comfortably
mid-division, headway 13th, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, 5th and held when mistake next, soon weakened
Reblis took a long time to make his mark over fences but is now on a hat-trick following recent wins at Folkestone and Plumpton. The handicapper may have his measure now, however, while Only Witness was put up 8lb after winning narrowly at Ludlow. Carabinier was second at Towcester on Boxing Day but his jumping is still giving cause for concern and Hereford runner-up Moleskin doesn't appear to be progressing. HARVEST SONG has his quirks but has always looked likely to be suited by a step up to 3m and probably isn't badly handicapped on his best form. He gets a tentative vote in an open race though Stolen Thunder and El Padrino are usually thereabouts and Like A Hurricane may prove better than he showed at Taunton.
Like A Hurricane (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, slow 3rd, hit 7th, slow 8th and 9th, under pressure 4 out, never able to challenge, 4th of 5, 10l behind Oldrik (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd in Dec.
Stolen Thunder 11-4 (11-0) Led unil 4th, chased winner after, ridden and no impression when weakened to 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind State Benefit (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chase (4) sft.
Reblis (FR) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 14th, led 4 out, clear after next, easily, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Its A Classic (11-3) by 11l, 11 ran.
Only Witness (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, went 3rd 7th, chased leader 12th, led 15th, carried slightly right by loose horse 4 out, hung right flat, held on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Time For Spring (11-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Harvest Song (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, soon under pressure, weakened flat, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Joker Choker (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) fm in Dec.
El Padrino (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up, headway when pecked slightly 6th, not fluent 11th, outpaced from 4 out, no impression when jumped left last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Wood Yer (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Moleskin (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Chased winner, pushed along and no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 12, 25l behind Strongbows Legend (11-3) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Croan Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th until bad mistake 13th, weakened 4 out, blundered badly 2 out, 4th of 10, 43l behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Carabinier (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch in 4th, chased winner from 11th, well held but clear of 3rd when mistake last, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Baile Anrai (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.
