held up towards rear, some progress 9th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, reminder 2nd, ridden to chase leaders and weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, well behind 7th, pulled up before next
in touch and keen, chased winner after 4 out, ridden and disputed lead last, one pace flat
led, ridden 8th, headed after 4 out and weakened
mid-division, mistake 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, driven along 5th, soon ridden and detached, kept on moderately
towards rear, progress 8th, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten
in touch, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after
always in rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 3 out
always prominent, led after 4 out, ridden and joined last, kept on, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden 7th, weakened next, mistake 4 out
held up towards rear, steady headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
Laertes gets the vote over the error-prone Glasker Mill, with My Immortal, Leading Contender, Lord Of Beauty and last year's winner Heir To Be to name but a few. Laertes lines up in good form generally, having won two of his last three starts. Chris Grant's grey was successful over fences at Hexham in December, but having then made far too many mistakes at Haydock next time, he was wisely put back over timber at Wetherby where he won with a good deal of authority. He has been put up just 6lb as a result, and with regular pilot Tom Greenall again in the plate, he should take the beating. There is no doubting that Glasker Mill has the class to take a hand in this company, and he will appreciate being back over hurdles after falling in each of his last two starts over fences at Fontwell and Exeter. Connections expected him to make up into an Arkle candidate, and his future does indeed lie over the bigger obstacles. My Immortal has tackled two big handicap hurdles of late, and will find this less exacting so is another for the short-list along with Leading Contender, although he once again let his supporters down last time. Lord Of Beauty is still on the comeback trail really but seems in good heart at present, while last year's winner Heir To Be has it to do off a slightly higher mark. An open contest can go to Laertes.
Glasker Mill (IRE) 6-5fav (11-8) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders when fell at the 3rd in race won by Heez A Dreamer (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Laertes 14-1 (11-3) In touch, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Supreme's Legacy (11-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Wain Mountain 18-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Nozic (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Opera de Coeur (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased winner until weakened 8th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Haggle Twins (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
My Immortal 12-1 (10-10) Led until 5th, tracked leader, led 8th, soon ridden, headed 2 out, close 3rd when pecked last, no extra, 4th of 14, 7l behind Overstrand (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Brankley Boy 10-3fav (11-7) Held up, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mac Federal (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Hautclan (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place approaching 7th, 12th of 20, 48l behind Millenium Royal (11-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Oscar's Advance (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Never a factor, trailing when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Bothar Na (10-13) at Listowel 3m hcp chs sft in Sept, 17 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Held up and keen, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 6, 17l behind Supreme Cara (10-8) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Dalaram (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Always in rear division, 7th of 10, 41l behind Orcadian (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Lord of Beauty (FR) 22-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, well behind when hit next, 4th of 5, 30l behind United (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Heir To Be 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders after 2 out, one pace under pressure flat, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Gala Evening (10-11) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Michael Muck 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden from 7th, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 10l behind What A Scientist (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Killing Me Softly 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leader until 3rd, ridden 5th, weakened soon after 3 out, 5th of 9, 40l behind Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Longueville Manor (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, every chance, beaten before last, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dark Corner (10-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Strike Back (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In touch when fell at the 2nd in race won by Ebony Light (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
