behind, blundered badly 5th, headway to 4th after 12th (old 3 out) stayed on approaching last, chased winner run-in closed near finish always held
behind, hit 8th headway 11th, stayed on same pace on long run to last
in touch, chased leaders from 5th, led 12th (old 3 out) ridden and in command before last, ridden and kept on well flat
chased leaders, behind and struggling from soon after 9th
never jumped with any fluency in rear, struggling from 9th, tailed off
in mid-division until mistake and weakened 9th, tailed off
led to 4th, chased leader, led 9th, headed 12th (old 3 out) weakened quickly on long run to last
behind, making some headway when hit 12th (old 3 out) no impression soon after
in rear, until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leader, led 4th at strong pace, until blundered and headed 9th, stayed front to rank, every chance when blundered 12th (old 3 out) weakened soon after
held up in mid-divisioin, ridden and headway to close on leading pair after 12th (old 3 out) ridden and stayed on same pace from last
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, chased winner from 12th (old 3 out) no impression before last and weakened run-in
FRENCH OPERA created a good impression when scoring here last time and with that race having worked out well, we will take him to complete a hat-trick, while they will be queuing up to challenge in a highly competitive event. The Nicky Henderson-trained selection was a course and distance scorer last time out, for which he has gone up 9lbs. He jumps well and acts on soft ground, while he also possesses extra stamina which will stand him in good stead in what is likely to be a quick-enough pace. His trainer has mentioned plans to come back over this trip for the Grand Annual, named after his father, at the Festival next March. If he is to be competitive there then he should go close to winning this today. Sa Suffit is now 8lbs worse off with Saphir Des Bois, whom he beat with a bit of authority at Haydock last time. Both act with cut and should be very competitive again today. Qrackers was well placed by Venetia Williams to win four off the reel in the summer of 2008, but after 15 months off the track he made a bad mistake at Ascot last time and was soon pulled up. If back to his best and able to put in a clear round he should get heavily involved. Free World has plenty of very solid form but does tend to find one too good and he is unlikely to represent much in the way of value, so we will oppose. Safari Journey acts with cut and is 6lbs better off with the selection for almost nine lengths here last month, which still gives him a tough enough task to reverse the placings. French Opera can take this on the way to better things.
Free World (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led and hit 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Schelm (11-1) at Bangor 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Panjo Bere (FR) 28-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, driven and headway 5 out, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 14l behind Albertas Run (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
French Opera 5-2fav (11-6) Made all, not fluent 4th, driven approaching last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov beating Nikola (10-4) by 4l, 7 ran.
Sa Suffit (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) With leader, hit 1st and 3rd, led after last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov beating Saphir Des Bois (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Soon prominent, made most from 8th to approaching 4 out, weakened quickly, 12th of 18, well behind Mount Oscar (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Qrackers (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 9th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Fix The Rib (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (2) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Freds Benefit (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway to 6th 3 out, ridden into 5th 2 out, 4th and no impression last, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 9l behind Blueberry Boy (10-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 gs in Apr.
Tramantano 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, beaten when mistake 3 out, behind when stumbled 2 out, 6th of 7, 24l behind French Opera (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Enlightenment (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 18l behind Fix The Rib (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (2) gd in Nov.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led approaching 3 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Safari Journey (USA) 11-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, hit 8th, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, disputing 3rd, beaten when blundered last, no extra, 4th of 7, 9l behind French Opera (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Mill House Girl (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, jumped left 7th and 8th, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
