Nick Gifford's Royal Wedding stumbled badly before unseating his rider here last month and his jumping will need to improve if he is to take a hand in the finish of a race taken to go to SOULARD, who gets the verdict ahead of Pepsyrock. Nicky Henderson's runners are in super form at present and the six-year-old has to be strongly considered but he was very disappointing behind Consigliere in a decent handicap at Newbury last time and looks best watched even in this lesser quality contest. Gary Moore's Vinmix De Bessy is closely matched with Pepsyrock on running at Newbury and has every chance meeting Nicky Henderson's gelding on the same terms. James Fanshawe's Song of Songs finished just in front of Vinmix De Bessy and Pepsyrock in that race and is 2lbs better in with both rivals today so he cannot be ruled out and makes more appeal than Dominican Monk. David Arbuthnot's gelding was pulled up on his most recent start back in May and looks best watched on his reappearance in a race taken to go to Soulard. Tom George's gelding ran well on his reappearance when a close second to Psychomodo here over slightly further and he has an obvious chance off just a 2lb higher mark today.
Song of Songs 8-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, hit 6th, struggling 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 17l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Oumeyade (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, 8th of 9, 42l behind Fix The Rib (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (2) gd in Nov.
Pepsyrock (FR) 10-3fav (11-7) Took keen hold, soon in touch, blundered badly 6th, weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 10, 38l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Matuhi 8-1 (11-6) Led, raced keenly, not fluent 2nd, hit 8th, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Dave's Dream (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, went 2nd when pecked 3 out, weakening when not fluent last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 15-2 (9-13) Mid-division, hampered 6th, headway next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 25l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Dominican Monk (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Not fluent, soon well behind, jumped left 7th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Passato (10-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 9 ran.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway from 2 out, kept on well from next, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd.
Soulard (USA) 5-1 (10-11) Disputed lead with winner until 6 out, chased winner after, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Psychomodo (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Royal Wedding 4-1 (10-13) Held up, took closer order 10th, ridden 4 out, 5th and held when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Psychomodo (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
