jumped right, made all, hit 8th, in command when hit 2 out, kept on strongly
jumped left, raced on inside, chased winner, mistake 3rd, blundered 6th, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened and mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
prominent early, behind from 7th, tailed off when blundered 11th, pulled up before 13th
mistakes in rear, tailed off 9th, pulled before 13th
not fluent, in touch, tracked leaders from 8th, blundered next, stayed on same pace from 4 out
took keen hold early, soon settled tracking leaders, struggling 10th, well behind when blundered 11th, pulled up before 13th
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, headway 8th, chased winner 4 out, mistake 2 out, no impression after
A good quality contest which may go to VIKING REBEL although a host of dangers include Slash And Burn and Qulinton. Latanier ran well in a Sandown handicap under a penalty and should be capable of having a say in the outcome having been freshened up by a break whilst Qulinton won as he liked at Southwell and looks capable of making further progress in this sphere. Junior didn't impress on his chase bow but it's far too soon to be writing him off after just one attempt as he ran to a decent level over hurdles last season and is reunited with a set of blinkers. To Arms has yet to shine for this yard but he isn't out of it on his second chase start on the pick of his efforts but stronger claims are held by Slash And Burn. He has yet to win over fences but ran some big races and was far from disgraced when last seen in action in the Jewson at the Cheltenham Festival. Therefore, this is no easy task for Nicky Henderson's runner who still has to conclusively prove that he retains his ability having missed 2009. However, there was sufficient promise to be gleaned from his debut for the yard, which came at Huntingdon behind Mighty Man, to believe that he still has it in him as he ran well until a lack of condition told. He should be sharper now and Viking Rebel may be able to pillage this prize.
Latanier (FR) 10-3 (12-5) Led, not fluent and headed 11th, slow 4 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Doctor Pat (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Qulinton (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Jumped well, made all, clear after 2nd, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Nov beating Lady Pilot (10-9) by 25l, 4 ran.
Final Bid (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Soon struggling in rear, reminders 6th, tailed off when blundered 8th, last of 5, well behind Punchestowns (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gs.
Haar 9-2 (11-3) Held up, ridden and weakened 6 out, behind and mistake 2 out, 6th of 8, well behind Psychomodo (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Junior 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 8, 33l behind Richard's Sundance (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Slash And Burn (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 13th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 20, 37l behind Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
To Arms 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 43l behind Factotum (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Viking Rebel (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 14th, chased leading pair 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Mighty Man (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m nov stks (3) sft in Jan.
