tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, ridden out
tracked leader, led 5 out, headed 2 out, one pace
led, headed 5 out, weakened next
held up in rear, weakened from 6 out
held up in rear, fell 1st
A smashing race in which the vote goes to KANGAROO COURT ahead of Tchico Polos and French Opera. One worry with Emma Lavelle's gelding is that his jumping has not always been the best but he missed an engagement at Cheltenham for this race and a bold bid is expected. Good ground is ideal and over this two-and-a-half mile trip he should take plenty of beating. Fortysecond Street impressed when winning at Doncaster last month and he is very effective on this going, whilst Fiendish Flame ran well when sixth in the Jewson Novices' Handicap and with a proven record on good ground he could take some pegging back if allowed an easy lead. French Opera has been very progressive over the last twelve months and shouldn't mind a return to novice company. However he has a little to prove over this trip and is taken on accordingly. Tchico Polos completes the race and he is an obvious danger. Emphatic when winning at Sandown last time, his previous second to Punchestowns is another solid piece of form and he must go close if his jumping holds up. A fascinating race, where the vote is given to Kangaroo Court.
French Opera 10-1 (11-5) In touch, led after 10th, ridden after 2 out, edged right after last, headed 150 yards out, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Tchico Polos (FR) 4-6fav (11-8) Soon led, headed 5th, pressed leader, led again 10th, clear when not fluent last, ridden out flat, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Cockney Trucker (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 6th to next, led again 11th, ridden after 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 17l behind Copper Bleu (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Fortysecond Street (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, went 3rd from 6th, chased leader after 4 out, jumped boldly to lead last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating The Panama Kid (10-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Kangaroo Court (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, lost place when mistake 9th, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 15l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
