chased leaders until 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again past beaten horses approaching last
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
always behind
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden when hit 3 out, soon beaten
tailed off from 4th
always towards rear
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, some progress 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, went 2nd 5th, led 2 out, soon ridden, battled on gamely, edged left final 50 yards, driven out
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind
led, ridden approaching 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied gamely, every chance last, kept on
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd near finish
in touch, headway after 5th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, virtually pulled up flat
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no further impression
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway and hit 3 out, every chance approaching last, soon ridden, not quicken, lost 3rd near finish
Nonrunner
The feature of Tuesday's card and we are with Harchibald to see off the new guard of Osana and Sizing Europe. Never has a horse curried so much divisive opinion as Harchibald but if Noel Meade's charge is on his best behaviour, he possesses the necessary skill to win it. An emphatic victory in the Fighting Fifth juxtaposing with being worried out of the Christmas Hurdle by Straw Bear. Following a recent victory at Dundalk on the level, Harchibald¿s star is in the ascendancy and it is to be hoped that we see the better side of him today. David Pipe's string has been in hot form and Osana has been popular with the ante-post backers of late. He comprehensively outpointed Katchit in the Boylesports hurdle and could be open to any measure of improvement. Pipe's charge does need to reverse Greatwood Hurdle form with Irish raider, Sizing Europe in order to win this but is 6lbs better in. Henry De Bromhead's stable star subsequently went on to beat Hardy Eustace and Al Eile at Leopardstown in the AIG Hurdle in fine style. Katchit accounted for Blythe Knight in the Kingwell Hurdle. With a faster pace likely, it would not be a complete surprise were John Quinn's charge able to finish closer today. Reigning champion, Sublimity has almost been forgotten in despatches ahead of the big day. Some have suggested his win last season was in one of the weakest champion hurdles for some time but he did it well enough and John Carr's horse has been campaigned with this engagement completely in mind. Afsoun is probably better for softer going. Third last year, this quirky performer could not be totally discounted from hitting the frame again. Catch Me is given an interesting raise in grade. He would need to build upon a recent victory in the Red Mills but Eddie O' Grady is not the sort of trainer to shoot at unrealistic targets. Straw Bear is likely to be popular at big prices with Tony McCoy aboard. There are plenty of holes that can be picked in the form of Nick Gifford's runner so we look elsewhere. Ebaziyan hasn't gone on as anticipated this season whilst Punjabi deserves a tilt at this following a fair second under topweight in the Totesport Trophy. A wide open renewal of this valuable prize and with mixed feelings it is to Harchibald we turn.
Afsoun (FR) 2-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led after 2 out, edged right under pressure approaching last, ran on, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Straw Bear (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Took keen hold, close up, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden after last, not quicken, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Katchit (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Bobs Pride (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, close up to 3 out, dropped to rear and no extra next, last of 7, 47l behind Jazz Messenger (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 1 sft in Nov.
Catch Me (GER) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead from before 3 out, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Jazz Messenger (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Contraband 20-1 (11-9) Always behind, 9th of 13, 38l behind Predator (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Ebaziyan (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in moderate 5th, slow 4th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 6, 15l behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Farmer Brown (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, close 5th approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 6, 12l behind Al Eile (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Harchibald (FR) 8-11fav (11-7) Held up, smooth headway after 3 out, joined winner next, led narrowly last, soon ridden, headed near finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind Straw Bear (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Katchit (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Chased leader, led after 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Blythe Knight (11-6) by 5l, 6 ran.
Kawagino (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Towards rear, 9th of 15, 33l behind The Tother One (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Osana (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Made all, clear 3 out until 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly, drew clear again flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec beating Katchit (11-4) by 8l, 8 ran.
Punjabi 28-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd approaching last, kept on but outpaced by winner, 2nd of 24, 2l behind Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Prominent, progress travelling well to lead before 2 out, clear approaching last, pushed out run-in, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan beating Hardy Eustace (11-10) by 8l, 6 ran.
Straw Bear (USA) 8-13fav (11-8) Held up behind leaders, headway 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed and no extra from last, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Afsoun (11-8) at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Sublimity (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-8) Held up, behind, raced keenly, headway approaching 2 out, disputed 2nd between last 2 soon held, 3rd when not fluent last, 4th of 8, 18l behind Osana (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Kalderon (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Bad mistake 1st and dropped towards rear, always in rear, 7th of 10, 34l behind Catch Me (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Salford City (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 3 out, headed approaching last, no impression and dropped to 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Aitmatov (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
