led, hit 4th, headed next, led 6th until 9th, led to 12th, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, no chance with winner from next
chased leaders, blundered 6th, hit 9th 15th and 17th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 12th and 16th, ridden to challenge 4 out, every chance when ran out next
led 5th until next, led 9th until 12th, led soon after 3 out, drew clear from next, comfortably
held up, hit 14th, short lived effort approaching 4 out, beaten when hit 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 11th (water), reminders, ridden 15th, weakened after 17th, not fluent and nearly unseated rider 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, driven along from 16th, lost touch 4 out
In a smashing race of its kind, Tanterari is selected ahead of The Outlier and Latimer's Place. Although rated nine pounds higher than for the second of his two wins this season, which came at Wincanton, Tanterari, who can be forgiven his Aintree run last time, is still only eight so should be open to some improvement. His profile as the possible winner of this race is strong enough and he gets the vote. Such was the emphatic nature of The Outlier's Towcester win last time that an 11-pounds rise in the ratings might not be enough to stop him from running well again, although he is unproven at today's trip. Kerstino Two has been highly progressive of late and, despite being raised five pounds for his very good run over three miles here 19 days ago, he may have more to come over today's longer trip, but he will need to find it. Hirvine was a decent novice back in 2005 although he will need to build on more-recent hurdling form. Latimer's Place was still in contention when falling two out at Fontwell last time when running from today's mark; as such his chance has to be respected, while Wild Is The Wind was not disgraced from a one-pound higher mark at Sandown last time, and Mr Dow Jones can't be ruled out, having won three of his last four races and running now as he is under a penalty for the latest of them. He is very much respected but, for the selection, we will side with Tanterari.
Kerstino Two 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, led 3rd to 12th, regained lead 14th, hard pressed from 2 out, headed soon after last, kept on gamely flat, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Lou Du Moulin Mas (11-4) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Hirvine (FR) 40-1 (11-10) In touch, driven 4 out, ridden and effort next, kept on, 6th of 16, 12l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
The Outlier (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Made all, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov beating What'sonyourmind (10-3) by 30l, 5 ran.
Latimer's Place 11-2 (11-12) Led, hit 7th, narrow advantage when fell 2 out in race won by Deferlant (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Tanterari (IRE) 4-1fav (10-3) Held up, hampered 13th, headway 16th, weakened 2 out, 11th of 21, well behind Eurotrek (11-7) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Behind, stayed on from 4 out, mistake 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 15l behind Tana River (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Mr Dow Jones (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up, closed on leading pair 16th, outpaced 18th, rallied 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs beating Glen Warrior (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
