led and soon clear, ridden 2 out, headed after last, kept on but not pace of winner
held up, steady headway 4 out, shaken up to lead after last easy
held up and keen, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch, slipped on landing after 2nd, lost place, headway to track leader 4 out, faded approaching last
tracked leader to 3rd, ridden and weakened 2 out
towards rear, mistake 4th and 5th, soon ridden, headway on outside after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
tracked leader, mistake 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
Not the best race of its kind considering the venue and Tarlac looks worth chancing despite being unproven on the ground, with Fait Le Jojo and Mohawk Star also making some appeal. With Nation State still having it all to prove following just one start after a lengthy absence, and Festive Chimes looking to out of his depth, Tarlac gets the nod on the back of some smart hurdles form at the beginning of the year. A winner with juice in the ground at Folkestone and Sandown, he was stepped up in class and went well in the Imperial Cup before looking over the top at Aintree. His trainer will leave something to improve on from here, but he still looks good enough to score. Fait Le Jojo has proved a frustrating horse to follow but he is at the top of the list here because he is still a capable sort. He will act on the ground and can make the frame. Of the others, Mohawk Star also handles conditions but just lacks a gear change, though he too could be good enough to make the frame behind our idea of the winner, Tarlac.
Fait Le Jojo (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, brief headway 7th, mistake next, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 32l behind Briery Fox (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Tarlac (GER) 9-2fav (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 15th of 17, 43l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until driven and weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 12, 37l behind O'Toole (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Nation State 7-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, steady headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, not much room approaching last, kept on well flat, 3rd of 24, 10l behind Dabiroun (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar '05.
Linnet (GER) 16-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 16l behind Papini (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Chased leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mikado Melody (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Sir Laughalot 16-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, hit 3 out, headway under pressure approaching next, stayed on, 4th of 11, 11l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
