held up, stayed on into moderate 4th, last, but never any chance
tracking leading pair when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
pressed winner, challenged from 4th, mistake 6th, took narrow lead next until blundered and headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner but kept on gamely to hold well held 2nd
held up, hit 7th, headway approaching 3 out, challenged for well held 2nd from 2 out but never any chance with winner
led until narrolowly headed 7th, blundered 10th, hit next, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, came clear well before 2 out, eased flat
always in rear, mistake 10th, struggling 12th, tailed off
chased clear leading pair from 3rd, some headway under pressure approaching 2 out, weakened and fell last
COCKNEY TRUCKER is the selection in an intriguing beginners chase, with French Opera and Nom de Guerre others to consider. Cockney Trucker took a decent novice hurdle at Newbury last season, before a fine effort when third in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He prefers good ground, has conditions to suit, and his able trainer believes he could be a useful recruit to the chasing game. He is taking on the more experienced French Opera, who despite falling on his first attempt over fences, went on to be placed in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He will know his job, but may be vulnerable to Cockney Trucker's superior pace. Nom de Guerre has been placed on each of his three completed starts over fences, but a place may be his best hope once again. Cockney Trucker can make a winning debut over fences before going on to better things.
Approved Force (USA) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Viscount Rossini (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Cockney Trucker (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden and staying on when hit next, never nearer, 7th of 24, 9l behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Edgeover 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, every chance 13th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 15l behind Kia Kaha (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Free World (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased winner 3rd, hampered 8th, challenged next until approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, 47l behind Young Albert (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
French Opera 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 2nd until after next, led 4th, hit 3 out, headed when not fluent next, one pace after, 6th of 15, 16l behind Sangfroid (10-3) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 14l behind West End Rocker (11-0) at Doncaster 3m beg chase (4) gf in Feb.
Sanglote (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort to close on inner when clipped heels and slipped up on bend before 5 out, in a race won by Fisher Bridge (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Sep, 14 ran.
