Rhymers Stone, a winning bumper and five times successful over hurdles, is making his chasing debut at an advanced age under a big weight though this isn't the toughest of starts. Applaus has only looked moderate in three starts over fences this campaign after scoring over hurdles in April but Irish raider VERONA OPERA (NAP) has already won a bumper, scored twice over hurdles and made a successful chasing debut at Cartmel last summer. She ran in a Listed chase here in December and was by no means disgraced, form that should be far too good for these.
Bobbie's Diamond (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, reminder after 2nd where slight mistake, closer in 11th after 3rd, 15th approaching 6th, no danger from before final fence, 16th of 19, dist behind Spider Web (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Rhymers Stone 13-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Elusive Theatre (10-6) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Verona Opera (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 5 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Benie Des Dieux (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Applaus (GER) 11-2 (10-12) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, ridden and one pace before last, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Totalize (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Bill D'Aron (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, 34l behind Lord County (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.