held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out
held up, some progress approaching 6th, slow jump next, mistake 8th, ridden next, behind and jumped right from 5 out
mid-division, ridden, in 5th when fell 5 out
never a factor, behind approaching 12th
in touch, weakened 6th, pulled up before next
towards rear, closer order 9th, left 5th 12th, weakened 3 out
held up, mistake 10th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders throughout, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, pecked last
led, headed 5 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out
keen and mistake in rear, stayed on from 5 out, not trouble leaders
mid-division, weakened after 10th, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, led from next, ridden 2 out, ridden out
A competitive handicap chase can go the way of Guru, with Matthew Muuroto, Be My Better Half and Hiers De Brouage forming the shortlist. The last-named has the habit of putting in the odd stinker as he showed last time out, however if he is on a going day then the 12-year-old is certainly capable of winning off this mark. The selection gets the tentative vote on his handicap debut. He has had just two runs over the bigger obstacles however he should be capable of going in off this mark of 108 as he has won off 111 over hurdles on similar ground and must have decent claims at a price. The trip may be a slight worry as he is better over shorter, however he remains our tentative nomination. Be My Better Half is certainly well handicapped if bouncing back to form, however he is another who is inconsistent so must be passed over. Matthew Muroto's second last time out was a decent effort behind a run-away winner so he must have solid claims, however in a very open contest we will stick with Guru to get his head in front.
Roznic (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, plugged on at one pace from 4 out, 5th of 12, 25l behind Idole First (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Be My Better Half (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, hit 3rd, headed 8th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 25l behind Roman Ark (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Jolly Boy (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Led until 4th, led again next, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Sha Bihan (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Milan Deux Mille (9-13) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Guru 10-3 (11-3) In touch, ridden 9th, outpaced 4 out, 4th of 7, 36l behind Dunsfold Duke (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Idiome (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden after 12th, plugged on to go 4th 2 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind Sha Bihan (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Corporate Player (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace and no impression approaching next, 4th of 12, 24l behind Idole First (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Behind until pulled up at the 10th in race won by Art Virginia (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Hiers de Brouage (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent until weakened 12th, well behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Alphabetical (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Spike Jones (NZ) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, closer order 11th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 35l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Mountain Mayhem (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and not fluent 6th, weakened after, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Leading Authority (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 17 ran.
Easibrook Jane 12-1 (10-10) In touch, chased leading pair 7th, no chance from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 15l behind The Hardy Boy (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
