led, jumped left, ridden 2 out, soon headed, kept on from last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, keen, led after 2 out, ridden and soon under pressure, just driven out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, blundered 5th, soon pushed along, outpaced from next
held up, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, hung left, weakened approaching last
The weather may affect the participation of SNAP TIE but if he turns up, he is the one to beat with Issaquah and Afsoun the others to note amongst the opposition. Snap Tie has proved a progressive type this year and that has chiefly been down to some expert planning from Philip Hobbs. Having accounted for Katchit at Kempton first time out, he has far from disgraced behind Harchibald in the Christmas Hurdle. Issaquah is an exciting mare from the Malcolm Jefferson yard. In receipt of allowances today, the trainer has made no secret of the regard in which he holds her. Afsoun is on something of a recovery mission. He does not look a particularly talented chaser and while a few pound short of top class at this discipline, it will be some effort to give weight all around. Songe has not gone on as many would have hoped. That said, Charlie Longsdon has just come out of a barren spell as far as winners are concerned. Degas Art fell at Wetherby when holding every chance. European Dream has been an exciting horse for connections but may find it difficult to adjust from handicaps into graded company. Snap Tie holds all the aces if allowed to take his chance.
Afsoun (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in touch when fell 5 out in race won by Harchibald (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec, 7 ran.
Snap Tie (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, joined leader 3 out, challenging when left in narrow lead 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, rallied towards finish but always held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Harchibald (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Songe (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 21, 2l behind Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Degas Art (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Led, headed approaching 4 out, ridden and upsides when fell at the last in race won by The Duke's Speech (11-0) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Never better than mid-division, 13th of 21, 19l behind Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Marcel (FR) 6-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd 6 out, led 3 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Andreas (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 5, 37l behind Ring The Boss (9-13) at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan '07.
Issaquah (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Always prominent, led on bit 4 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Rich Lord (11-7) by 4l, 12 ran.
