tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led going well before last, drew clear on bit flat, unextended
led, driven approaching 2 out, soon pressed, ridden and headed before last, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leading pair to 4 out, driven after 3 out, 4th and one pace when mistake next, no impression approaching last
held up in rear, hit 7th, blundered 3 out, soon outpaced, never on terms
held up towards rear, effort on outside 3 out until next, no impression approaching last
held up in touch, mistake 6th, reminders next, went 3rd 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, one pace last
Barney Curley's Sereth was useful on the flat and made a pleasing start to his hurdling career when landing a novice hurdle at Huntingdon in November but he has been found wanting in his last two starts and is likely to find at least one too good again in a race taken to go to FINIAN'S RAINBOW, who gets the vote ahead of Arkose. Oliver Sherwood's gelding, a point-to-point winner in Ireland, made a winning start to his rules career when taking a novice hurdle at Huntingdon at the beginning of November and he lost no caste in defeat when chasing home Possol here later in the month; that form looks solid and, with further improvement to come, he looks the main danger. Alan King's Spirit Of Adjisa was useful on the flat but has yet to convince in two starts over hurdles, although it may be too soon to write him off completely. Paul Webber's Llama Farmer won well enough at Haydock last month when beating Fabulous Fred and the runner-up there is a reliable yardstick so he has to be considered, while a market move for Priors Glen would be of interest with his yard in good form. Nicky Henderson's Finian's Rainbow has shown easily the best form on offer though with a good win at Newbury over Sereth followed by a decent effort in defeat behind Reve De Sivola at the same venue and a reproduction of those efforts should see him resume winning ways.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up in touch, challenged from 2 out, led and hit last, headed towards finish, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Reve De Sivola (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Arkose (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased winner next, not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Possol (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Sereth (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 11, 10l behind La Sarrazine (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Max Milano (IRE) Milan gelding out of Stellissima.
Priors Glen (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, never a factor, 10th of 15, 49l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Spirit of Adjisa (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led before and mistake 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, weakened into 3rd soon after, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Tito Bustillo (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Wham Bang 200-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Llama Farmer 33-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 5th, ridden 2 out, led and edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Fabulous Fred (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
