A wide open looking opener in which we give the tentative vote to TARSUS with both Supreme Leisure and Ravenscar worth noting in the betting market. The selection caught the eye when finishing second behind Kinkeel at Hereford last month. He is only lightly raced and that was his first real sign of form. Rebecca Curtis is a rookie trainer that is beginning to make a name for herself and she is certain to progress through the ranks as she builds an ever increasing team of horses. Supreme Leisure is now eight pounds higher since winning at Uttoxeter last week. He had dropped to a career low mark that day and it was also a poor contest. He will have to raise his game again here but if doing so he has every chance of being in the shake up. Ravenscar is winless in eighteen months but has been running well of late. He was an eye catching second to Desert Secrets at Leicester on his penultimate run and was not disgraced at the same venue last time out so any market moves should be noted. However for the winner we return to Tarsus.
Le Millenaire (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
The Abbots Habit (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Led and hit 1st, headed 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Mortimers Cross (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Macamoto (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) In touch, raced keen early, blundered 2nd, lost place 4th, reminder after next, hit 7th, not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 27l behind Desert Secrets (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Nov.
Silver Steel (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Led, hit and headed 7th, ridden and weakening when blundered 4 out, 5th of 10, 45l behind Festival King (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Trebello 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, headway approaching 6th, struggling when hit next, 5th of 18, 20l behind Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
First Fought (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Towards rear, outpaced 10th, never dangerous, 9th of 16, well behind Sa Suffit (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Carrickmines (IRE) 9-2co-fav (11-6) Raced keenly, led to 4th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 15, well behind Low Delta (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Ravenscar 8-1 (10-9) Chased leader approaching 2nd, led 7th, jumped right 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 16l behind Cybora (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Tarsus 8-1 (11-1) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, regained lead after 2 out, mistake and headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Kinkeel (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Mr Floppy (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, struggling from 8th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Lago (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Long Road (USA) 40-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mickmacmagoole (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Day du Roy (FR) 28-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind Roznic (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, hit last, 4th of 9, 23l behind Idarah (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Supreme Leisure (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, left 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, edged left flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan beating Take It There (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Heezagrey (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Keen early, in touch, lost place approaching 5th, reminders after 6th and 8th, last when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Supreme Leisure (9-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, in touch, under pressure 8th, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 6l behind Peak Seasons (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
