made all, hit 4 out, soon ridden, in command from 2 out, stayed on strongly
held up behind leaders, stumbled badly 13th, soon lost touch, not recover
held up behind leaders, hit 4th and 5th, reminders, disputed 2nd 14th, soon ridden, weakened before 4 out, blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
jumped slightly right, chased winner, ridden approaching 4 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, lost 2nd flat
tracked leaders, ridden in close 3rd 4 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Here's Johnny, Ornais and Mr Strachan form our one, two, three in this open heat. Ornais may well bounce back from a lacklustre run at Cheltenham and is well regarded by his powerful yard but nevertheless he still has something to prove, not least his stamina. Battlecry was pulled up behind him in November but has returned to form since then; the form he's shown to date over fences is short of what's required. Old Benny hasn't lived up to expectations this season and seemed far from keen at Warwick last time, receiving a couple of liveners at an early stage; it remains to be seen what effect the blinkers have. Mr Strachan had chased home L'Antartique and Tidal Bay before winning at Wetherby last time. He should have no problem seeing out this trip and has impressed with his jumping to date, his chance is respected. Here's Johnny would have finished in front of Joe Lively over course and distance in November but for being hampered by the fall of Nevada Royale. He finished behind the Tizzard runner again in the Feltham but didn't have the race run to suit. He has leading form claims and should be suited by the return to racing at this track so Here's Johnny gets our vote.
Ornais (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Held up behind leaders, chased winner after 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 2nd of 4, 24l behind Joe Lively (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
Battlecry 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, moved closer after 2nd, went 2nd 5th, not fluent 8th, led soon after, stayed on well from 2 out, won at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan beating Coe (11-10) by 2l, 8 ran.
Here's Johnny (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 12th, joined winner 5 out, led 3 out, soon hard pressed, mistake and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Joe Lively (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 11-10fav (10-13) Chased leader, pecked 3rd, led after 5 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from 3 out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Kruguyrova (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Old Benny 5-4fav (11-0) Always prominent, jumped slowly 2nd, reminder after 10th, led 12th to 13th, led again just after 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Verasi (11-8) at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Jan.
