tracked leaders, led after 2 out, hard ridden run-in, held on
held up, mistake 3rd, headway after 6th, ridden in close 4th when blundered last, not recover
keen and always in rear, tailed off
keen, led 2nd, soon clear, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway after 6th, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on under strong pressure, just held
chased leaders until weakened after 6th, tailed off
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance last, hung left and no extra
held up towards rear, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened well before last
in touch, ridden after 2 out, weakened well before last
always behind, tailed off when fell last
A few ifs and buts and not a great deal to go on here. Font is sure to have his supporters but we'll side with Chantaco although sustained support for Qanta De Thaix would look significant. Prince Du Seuil, Arctic Magic and Huguenot all have a little to prove over hurdles as to a lesser extent does Font. He made his debut in a pretty warm race at Kempton and did attract some support but finished well held. It would be no surprise to see him leave that form behind but Chantaco was of a similar level of ability on the Flat and has been given an entry in the Supreme Novices' so has presumably been showing something at home. His stable has made a good start to 2008 and it would be no surprise to see him go close. Three other runners hold engagements at Cheltenham but the only one of interest is Qanta De Thaix who won his sole start on the Flat in France and clearly merits respect given his powerful connections. The market should prove useful but we'll take a chance with Chantaco.
Chantaco (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out until over 1f out, weakened, 10th of 14, 18l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct (Flat).
Font 11-2 (11-0) In touch, headway after 5th, chased winner briefly approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 16l behind Song of Songs (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Grand Sefton 100-1 (11-4) Prominent and keen, mistake 6th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Huguenot (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Pulled hard in rear, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 14, well behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Orvita (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some progress 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 16, 27l behind Numide (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Prince du Seuil (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Snake Charmer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Yorkshire Owl 200-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Arctic Magic (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Bumped 1st, soon in touch, weakened 3 out, jumped left 2 out, blundered badly last, 6th of 15, 39l behind Blackthorn Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (5) gs.
Kosciusko 125-1 (10-3) Always in rear, 11th of 14, well behind Super Formen (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Qanta de Thaix (FR) 2-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, led 2f out, pushed out, won at Questembert 1m 3f stk gd in Oct beating Quetzal Bay (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran (Flat).
Rambo Honours (IRE) 28-1 (9-3) In touch, took keen hold, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 10, 31l behind Basalt (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs (Flat).
Come On Jim (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) In rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Apprentice (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Snark (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 16, 8l behind Prime Number (11-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Oct (Flat).
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, blundered 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 18th of 19, well behind Pasco (11-9) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs.
