started slowly, always behind
held up in touch, went 2nd past omitted 2 out, no impression on winner
chased leaders, led 3 out, soon clear
held up, blundered 5th, behind final 4f
always in rear
prominent, led 3rd, blundered 5th, driven and one pace final 2f
held up in touch, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
chased leaders, one pace final 4f
held up, lost place 6th, never trouble leaders
held up, not reach leaders
held up, fell 4th
mid-division, lost place 5th, kept on final 2f
led, headed 5th, soon behind, tailed off
prominent, ridden 3 out, no impression final 3f
in touch, driven and weakened final 3f
started slowly, tailed off final half mile
If official BHA ratings are worth their salt then RAS LAFFAN has a good chance at the weights in this seller, while there are a number of others deserving of consideration. The selection is the baby of this lot at four-years-old but has run with credit against older horses before, notably when runner-up on his last two starts in this sort of company. Good to soft ground appears to suit, he handles this quirky track well and the yard remains in decent form so we will take him to land this. A first-time tongue strap makes Etoile D'Or more interesting. Her recent form has not been good but she handles cut well and if the tack makes the difference then there are reasons to believe she could get heavily involved. Stablemate The Iron Giant returns to hurdles after a decent effort over fences last time. We could certainly see him making the frame but as a maiden after 42 starts the likelihood is that he won't be coming home in front. Luzenie has become very disappointing and has her first run in this sphere with blinkers applied for the first time. She is also dropped back in trip and so there are a few reasons to suggest that we might see a significant change in her performance and money for her would make her extremely interesting. Lerida won a soft ground Carlisle handicap chase in October and has been out of sorts since. He too sports first-time cheek pieces and a return to form is by no means ruled out. Amour Daria is one of few to register winning form, so is respected but Rass Laffan gets the vote.
Amour Daria (FR) 50-1 (11-4) In touch, blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Festival King (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Dec, 10 ran.
Iris's Flyer 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 18, 33l behind Moonlight Music (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy.
Alloro 100-1 (10-13) Led, headed before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, 5th of 10, 8l behind Just Waz (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Luzenie (FR) 40-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden 7th, tailed and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mitchel Henry (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy, 12 ran.
Vision Victory (GER) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, chased leaders after 5th, pushed along approaching next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bewery Man (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Lerida 33-1 (9-10) In rear, reminders approaching 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Shelomoh (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Led until blundered badly and headed 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Zaffarella (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft, 12 ran.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) In touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 38l behind Noticeable (11-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
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.
Petrichan (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, reminders and lost place 6th, no danger after, 6th of 11, well behind Bonneta (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Ras Laffan 6-1 (9-10) Raced keenly, held up in touch, lost place after 3rd, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd, flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 14l behind Woody Valentine (11-4) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 66-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden approaching 4th, soon struggling, 9th of 14, well behind Noticeable (11-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Silver Terra 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Inghwung (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Fortune's Fool 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hit 5th, some headway 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 43l behind Big Wheel (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun '07.
Gin Mill (IRE) 150-1 (11-1) Led, jumped led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Cuccinello (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Always behind, 11th of 14, well behind Woody Valentine (11-4) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
