held up towards rear, hampered 11th, soon struggling
led 3rd until mistake 6th, remained prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
ran in snatches, mistakes 6th and 11th, disputing 2nd 4 out, weakned after 2 out
held up, headway after 9th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 12th, challenged 4 out, not run on flat
took keen hold towards rear, headway 6th, lost place when blundered and hampered 11th, rallied briefly after 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, blundered and rider lost iron briefly first, mastake 6th, headway approaching 8th, blundered and unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, led after 10th, ridden out
jumped left, led to 3rd, led 6th until after 10th, weakening when mistake 13th, pulled up before 3 out
CARTIER OPERA was a ready winner at Towcester on Thursday and is at the right end of the weights to do some damage again; Lough Rynn may be the best of the motley crue that he faces. Venetia Williams has her horses in great form and this gelding improved markedly on his previous form when sailing to victory the other day. He raced from out of the weights on that occasion but scored readily and it would be no surprise to see him rack up a sequence now. Constantius is edging down the weights and may now be seen to better effect now up in trip again, Chico Time hasn't excelled over fences yet but could be well-treated for a return to the bigger obstacles, whilst Particle has a mind of his own but is capable on a going day. Wizard Of Edge looks well-treated, Bernard will want the ground to stay as close to good as possible, whilst Lough Rynn did it nicely at Ludlow a year ago but a 6lb higher mark on this reappearance probably makes life tough. Cartier Opera is given the vote.
Fine By Me (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 11th, ridden 16th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Alfadora (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Wizard of Edge 11-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 17l behind Peut Etre Sivola (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Bernard 5-1 (10-13) Jumped left, held up in last, reminders after 6th and 7th, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Knighton Combe (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Particle (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Over jumped 1st, jumped left on occasions, prominent 3rd, jumped badly left and bumped 6th, led 8th, ridden after 3 out, headed when blundered last, beaten after, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Ask Oscar (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct.
Lough Rynn (IRE) 15-8fav (10-4) Held up, headway 12th, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, left clear last, won at Ludlow 3m am hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct '08 beating Joe Deane (11-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
Constantius 16-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, led after 4 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 34l behind Saafend Rocket (10-10) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Champagne Star 14-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, unseated 7th, in a race won by You Can Of Course (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Cartier Opera 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent 10th, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs beating River Ripples (11-10) by 6l, 10 ran.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 15th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 42l behind Overton Lad (10-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Kercabellec (FR) 22-1 (9-7) Raced wide, prominent, took keen hold, led after 3rd, headed approaching 7th, struggling 12th, left poor 4th last, 4th of 9, 28l behind Wide Receiver (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (4) gs.
Ya I Know (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Soon detached in rear, mistake 14th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Overton Lad (10-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Chico Time (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden approaching 7th, struggling 9th, 9th of 15, 31l behind Daraz Rose (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.