in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2 out, soon hung left, weakened last
tracked leader, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, not fluent 3 out, quickened up 2 out, soon ridden, headed when hit last, no extra
held up, headway 2 out, ridden to chase leader approaching last, led flat, ran on
always in rear, ridden 8th
always in rear, behind from 9th
held up, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden, headway 4 out to chase leaders, weakened after 2 out
The Gold Cup credentials of Star De Mohasion face a stiff test on his first start for 396 days but the gelding is hard to crab on the form in book and he is fancied to have too much in the locker for Hennessy and Oscar Park now that Paul Nicholls is ready to let him loose once more. The selection - a game and ready winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at last year's Festival, has gone well when fresh in the past and, despite his obvious fragility, he has enough natural ability to cope with the switch back to hurdling. Still only a six-year-old, the gelding is a fine reserve for the Nicholls team to have in the line up and he will no doubt be the subject of plenty of Festival gossip if he impresses today. Oscar Park will be a big threat if his jumping holds together this time. He was in the process of running a fine race until he tipped up on his reappearance last month. But with his fitness sure to have been sharpened, he will be a tough customer to deal with here. As will Hennessey, who still has plenty of scope for improvement. He is going the right way and should not be underestimated. Arafan, who races from 2lb out of the handicap, is another that can enjoy a profitable season and is worth noting in the betting. However, Star De Mohasion has stellar credentials and his class may be enough to see him through today.
Oscar Park (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked clear leader, took closer order halfway, led after 3 out then fell 2 out in race won by Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 1-2fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led 3 out, driven out flat, won at Sandown 3m Grad Ch (2) gs in Dec '06 beating The Listener (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Gold Gun (USA) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leader, hit 5th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Leading Contender (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Hennessy (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, lost place 7th, ridden 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 12, 6l behind Leading Contender (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Hills Of Aran 50-1 (11-7) Fell 1st in race won by Lough Derg (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec, 9 ran.
Openide 8-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, not jump well and pulled up in race won by Sea Diva (10-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Champagne Harry 12-1 (11-3) Ridden after 12th, never better than mid-division, 5th of 13, 15l behind Which Pocket (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Risk Runner (IRE) 15-8 (10-9) Held up, in touch when fell at the 4th in race won by Gabier (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Arafan (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) In touch, headway and led 2 out, headed last, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 18, 4l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
