made all, set decent pace, in command from 12th, clear from 3 out, unchallenged
took keen hold and tended to jump left, tracked winner, mistake 11th, pushed along and held from next, driven between last 2, mistake last, never able to challenge
Nonrunner
Captain Chris won this a year ago after which he only ran at the highest level over longer trips including on his next start in the King George when beaten a neck by Long Run. He has to concede 4lb to AL FEROF here and Paul Nicholls' grey, who had a very long lay-off before returning in spectacular style in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham a year ago, hasn't been seen since but that shouldn't pose a problem for the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner and he can take this. French Opera, a Grade 2 winner on his last start over hurdles, has contested some top events over fences and though not quite fulfilling his potential he gets plenty of allowances and is by no means out of this.
Al Ferof (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Took keen hold in touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged on bit 3 out, soon led, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov '12 beating Walkon (10-6) by 3l, 18 ran.
French Opera 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, plugged on to modest 5th flat, 5th of 10, 12l behind Sire De Grugy (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Captain Chris (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 5 out, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 4th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 14l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Apr.
