tracked leading pair until fell 2nd
held up, ridden 8th, driven and no chance soon after 3 out, left poor 4th next
led and disputed, chased leader after 6th, still every chance 3 out, disputing 4th and weakening when fell 2 out
always behind, tailed off 3 out
held up in 5th, hampered 2nd, in touch 8th, blundered and weakened 4 out
led and disputed, made most after 6th, blundered 4 out, kept narrow advantage, headed last, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders in 4th, hampered 2nd, effort on inside going well 2 out, led last, driven out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra last
LAHARNA gets the vote in the opener over Funny Fellow and Carly Bay. Lucy Wadham's 9-year-old was only narrowly beaten behind Prophete De Guye at Southwell last time out. He should be suited by this slight step-up in trip today and he can resume winning ways. Funny Fellow is another who went close last time out and it was a much improved effort. If he can build on that then he can go close, but he has yet to win in 14 attempts and he has only completed on two of his last six starts so he is one to have reservations about. Carly Bay has won over this course and distance and she will relish today's ground conditions. She returns to the bigger obstacles after a run over hurdles last time out and she is certainly worthy of respect. Sula's Legend and Master d'Or are others worthy of a mention, but this looks a good opportunity for Laharna who is taken to resume winning ways.
Master d'Or (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, joined winner 7th until hit 9th, weakened after 11th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Presenting Copper (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Space Cowboy (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, no chance from 11th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Mad Professor (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Reminders after 8th, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 35l behind Battlefield (10-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Rudivale (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, pulled hard, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ballyboley (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Carly Bay 10-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 24l behind Wise Men Say (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Sula's Legend 5-2jt-fav (11-2) In touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 8th, weakened after 3 out, last of 6, 15l behind Sole Agent (11-12) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Laharna 11-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, not fluent next, caught post, 2nd of 10, hd behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Funny Fellow 20-1 (10-6) 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Sole Agent (11-12) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
