held up in last, blundered 5th, hit 3 out, soon well beaten
chased leaders, hit 4 out, beaten when mistake 3 out, behind when stumbled 2 out
made all, not fluent 4th, driven approaching last, stayed on well flat
chased leaders, hit 3 out, disputing third but under pressure when blundered 2 out, beaten last, one pace flat
held up in rear, hit 8th, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, disputing 3rd, beaten when blundered last, no extra
mid-division but in touch, closed 7th, chased winner after 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression, stayed on flat
pressed winner, lost second after 4 out, outpaced after next, stayed on again under pressure flat
Song Of Songs looks a fascinating contender despite top-weight, however it is BEGGARS CAP who is selected after an interesting comeback run last month. Ferdy Murphy is starting to have a few winners and this seven-year-old gelding looks an intriguing runner today. His trainer has a good record at this meeting and there should be massive improvement to come after a run around behind Tramantano last time out. He has won at testing tracks before and looks worth a bet. French Opera got the job done nicely at Ascot last month and the drop back in trip today should hold no fears. He is open to lots of progression this season and his novice form from last season (especially behind Planet Of Sound at Newbury) reads very well. Course and distance winner Tramantano is an obvious contender despite a 5lb higher mark for his Aintree win, whilst Song Of Songs took a tumble at Aintree in April. If his jumping and confidence is unaffected by that misdemeanour then he must go close off a mark of 144, especially as his beating of Deep Purple in March has been so handsomely franked since. Consigliere looks a huge player if the forecast rain arrives, Safari Journey has run up to his best at each start this year, whilst Nikola's recent run behind Master Medic reads well however he hasn't won since May 2008. Safari Adventures is weighted to reverse the form with Tramantano on 5lb better terms, however it is a horse that finished behind both of them, Beggars Cap, who is tipped the wink.
Song of Songs 6-1 (11-4) Held up in 5th, mistake 8th, hit 4 out, soon stumbled on bend, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, fell next, in a race won by Kalahari King (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov ch Grd 1 (1) gs in Apr, 6 ran.
Tramantano 9-2 (11-7) Tracked clear pair, headway 3 out went 2nd between last 2, led before last, ridden out flat, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct beating Dev (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
French Opera 5-4fav (11-3) Led until narrolowly headed 7th, blundered 10th, hit next, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, came clear well before 2 out, eased flat, won at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd in Oct beating Edgeover (11-3) by 10l, 7 ran.
Consigliere (FR) 16-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden and effort, faded next, 10th of 29, well behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Safari Journey (USA) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent and rider lost iron briefly 7th, disputing 2nd when left chasing winner 2 out, soon upsides, one pace and no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m noc chs (2) gf in Oct.
Nikola (FR) 10-1 (10-3) Close up until lost place 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 10, 17l behind Master Medic (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Left tracking leader and clear from 2nd, outpaced 3 out, ridden and rallied before last, kept on flat, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Tramantano (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Beggars Cap (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up, outpaced when blundered 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 18l behind Tramantano (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Beherayn 15-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, pulled hard, not fluent 1st, headway 7th, blundered 4 out, soon beaten, mistake last, 6th of 13, 17l behind Fit To Drive (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
