raced keenly, led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened flat
held up in touch, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, ridden out
not fluent and jumped right, took keen hold tracking leader, weakened approaching 3 out
steadied start, held up, always in rear
chased leaders, pushed along from 6th, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
steadied start, pulled hard and behind, ridden after 3rd, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 6th
pulled hard, headway 3rd, weakened after 5th, tailed off and not looking keen
always behind, tailed off from 5th
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
Opera Knight gets a tentative vote over Rightontime, with Rapscallion also on the short-list. This is a poor claimer in which nothing can be backed with real confidence, but the booking of Graham Lee for Opera Knight catches the eye. Tony Carroll's six-year-old was only banded-class on the level, but was successful at Kempton in May, and has had two outings over timber at a slightly higher grade. This drop in class may prove to be the answer, and he gets a cautionary vote. Rightontime seemed to prefer faster ground in Ireland, but at least had winning form, and if anywhere near fit after a six-month break, should be capable of making his presence felt. Rapscallion would have clear claims on his second at Wincanton in March, but he has failed to build on that this term, so is yet another that is hard to rely on. All in all, bets are best kept to the bare minimum, with Opera Knight the pick.
Rapscallion (GER) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, soon struggling, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs, 20 ran.
Thenameescapesme 14-1 (11-2) In rear, jumped left 2nd, pecked 5th, hampered by loose horse 6th and pulled up at the 7th in race won by Avitta (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Cross My Shadow (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Blackthorn (11-3) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Rightontime (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra last, eased flat, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Templet (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Spotoncon 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 4th, soon behind, 13th of 17, well behind Noble Raider (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Poyle Josh 66-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in rear, raced reluctantly and lost touch approaching 3rd, soon tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sualda (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Sept, 10 ran.
Diafa (USA) 200-1 (10-2) Always in rear, 9th of 15, well behind Massini's Maguire (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Opera Knight 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 16th of 19, well behind Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
