held up in rear, headway and hampered 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, soon pushed along, ran on well
led, under pressure and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, blundered badly 4 out, not fluent next, rallied after 2 out, not fluent last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, hit and unseated rider 3rd
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed next, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, never on terms
Four of the six runners make some appeal here with preference for KIA KAHA over Pop only being marginal and No Panic isn't far behind. The fourth runner of interest is Valley Ride who has had just two starts since December 2006 and has to prove that he retains his ability. He was a pretty decent hurdler and it'll be interesting to see how he gets on. No Panic receives 6lbs from the other principals and he has shown enough in his two runs over fences to believe that he should have little problem adding to his three wins over hurdles but he will find easier opportunities than this. Pop was rather disappointing at Wetherby, albeit in a good race, where his jumping lacked fluency. He had impressed prior to that and may be able to resume his upward curve. Kia Kaha was also a shade disappointing last time as he was held when falling and may not have finished any better than third. However, the winner is decent and the second has gone on to win a decent handicap in impressive but bizarre fashion and the run may not have been too bad. He'd have a bit to prove if the ground became soft as well as having to put that fall behind him but Kia Kaha has enough about him to take this contest.
Kia Kaha 6-4 (11-6) Tracked winner until 5th, close 3rd, nudged along when fell 3 out in race won by Herecomesthetruth (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 1st, headed 7th, led again 3 out, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Fortune Point (11-5) by 6l, 7 ran.
Pop (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, chased winner and blundered 4 out, hit last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Will Be Done (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
No Panic (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Close up, led 12th, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, caught near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Radetsky March (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Ortega (FR) 22-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, lost place after 9th, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 43l behind Snake Charmer (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Valley Ride (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 10th of 16, 29l behind Fair Along (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
