Catterick report: Cedrus Libani remains unbeaten over fences following his third victory but he was made to work a little harder than his odds suggested at Catterick.
Howard Johnson's runner was sent off the 4 to 11 favourite for the two-mile "Come Racing Again Next Tuesday" following successes at Carlisle and Aintree and although he came in by three and a half lengths, his jumping was not fluent.
Denis O'Regan put him in the lead at the third-last fence, but he made a mistake there and at the last and had to be driven along to come clear of Sunday City.
The Arkle Trophy may be a possibility now, but Johnson could have a better prospect for that race in Tidal Bay.
"He's (Cedrus Libani) come into his own over fences," the trainer said. . . I would say we'll give him a bit of a break now, he'll want six weeks. He'll be well entered at Cheltenham but I don't think he is a Cheltenham horse, I would nearly say my good horse (Tidal Bay) would go for the Arkle," said Johnson.
Young Smokey cruised away in the Three Score Years And Ten Handicap Chase for Sue Smith and Tjade Collier.
The six-year-old was well in arrears in the early stages as last year's victor Bang And Blame set a furious pace. However, Mick Easterby's veteran could not keep up the gallop and was soon swallowed up. Young Smokey (4-1 co-favourite), who was in training with Peter Beaumont last year, came home safely nine lengths clear of Blazing Hills.
Smith completed a double in the Have A Happy New Year Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle as the Gary Rutherford-ridden Willie The Fish (11 to 1) beat Seize by a neck.
Another wide-margin victory came in the Zetland Homes Handicap Chase as Harry Hogarth's Northern Quest - backed from 2 to 1 into 11 to 8 favourite - landed the odds in style.
There were reasonable winners of both divisions of the Goodbye 2007 - Hello 2008 Maiden Hurdle.
The first went to Alan Swinbank's Puy d'Arnac (12 to 1), who pulled a length and a half away from Fortunate Isle while John Wade's Domino Dancer took the second leg, seeing off the challenge of first Halla San and then John Quinn's Gloucester to win at 4 to 1.
