held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, hit 8th, headway from 3 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace
led, mistakes, headed 9th, led again approaching 3 out, soon headed, staying on one pace when blundered last, not recover
held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, not fluent next, caught post
held up mid-division, mistake 7th, headway from 3 out, stayed on to lead post
chased leader, took closer order 6th, led 9th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 6th, weakened 5 out
held up, weakened from 5 out
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened before 4 out, badly hampered next
held up behind, headway from 3 out, chase leading pair after last, kept along
in touch, pushed along after 7th, weakened 4 out, fell next
LAHARNA has the class to land this opener with both Great Tsar and The Iron Giant worth noting. Jumping has been an issue with the selection of late but his win at Huntingdon back in December sets him apart from his rivals. He has risen eight pounds in the ratings for that performance which will make life tougher for him but if he can put in a clear round of jumping he will take all the beating. Great Tsar is a consistent sort at this level but he is still a maiden after seventeen starts. He looks more than capable of being competitive once again off his current mark so any market moves should be noted. The Iron Man is another frustrating type who is yet to land himself in the winners' enclosure. That said he has been running well in defeat of late and for that reason he cannot be totally ruled out. However for the winner we return to Laharna.
Strident (USA) (11-5) 5th of 13, 19l behind Imminent Victory (10-8) at Krefeld 2m 1f hcp chs in Nov.
Great Tsar (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leader and keen, lost 2nd 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, mistake and weakened, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Sole Agent (11-12) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Laharna 5-4fav (11-6) unseated rider in race won by Amir El Jabal (11-12) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
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.
Kercabellec (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 5th to 7th, close 2nd when blundered badly 4 out, rider lost irons and dropped rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Cybora (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov, 10 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.
Grand Manner (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Always behind, 6th of 10, 39l behind Justwhateverulike (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Fortune Point (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led, headed 4 out, soon under pressure and one pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Peak Seasons (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
Barton Sun (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, beaten from 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind Chrysander (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs.
Riccardo (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, reminders 6th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 14, 6l behind Lescer's Lad (10-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
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.
