tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner when switched left 2 out, kept on same pace
led, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, hit 1st, mistake 5th, weakened soon after 3 out
close up in 4th, headway between horses to lead approaching 2 out, ran on, eased flat
OPERATION MANNA looks to have leading claims having won a conditionals‘ race at Sandown on last week’s reappearance and escapes a penalty as a consequence. Benassi is 9lb higher than when winning at Ffos Las last season and was pulled-up on his reappearance as was Casa Loupi while Rocky Mam faced a tough task at Cheltenham on his comeback and blinkers are applied.
Benassi (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Rear mid-division hit 4th, pushed along home turn and struggling, pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Rocky Man (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Midfield, took closer order before 2 out when not fluent, soon pushed along when short of room before last, made no impression, 12th of 16, dist behind Pinnacle Peak (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Casa Loupi 14-1 (11-1) Keen early, close up, weakened quickly approaching 3 out and pulled up, at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Operation Manna 11-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear, closed before 4th, not fluent 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Branson Missouri (11-3) by 13l, 8 ran.
