vying for lead when left in front 1st, went clear 8th until 5 out, joined and hit last, headed and not pace of winner run-in
left tracking leader 1st, unsighted jumped into back of loose horse and hampered 4th, went left not fluent and lost 2nd 3 out, rallied under pressure last, led run-in and nearly ran off the course at elbow, kept on
slight lead when blundered badly and unseated rider 1st
left in 3rd place 1st, went close 2nd 3 out, challenged and reached for 2 out, every chance last, no extra in 3rd run-in
behind, went modest 4th towards finish, never a factor
raced keenly, held up in last pair, left in 4th place 1st, slight mistake 5 out, weakened 2 out
Dashel Drasher jumped well out in front here on his chasing bow but was readily picked off by Champ in the closing stages. The latter was far from foot-perfect that day but his class saw him home, though he may have to jump better today to get the better of BLACK OP. Tom George’s eight-year-old was also a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and, after coming up against the likes of Lostintranslation, Defi Du Deuil and Topofthegame over fences last season, he was impressive at Stratford last month when winning by 15 lengths. Deyrann de Carjac is 2-2 over fences but this looks a big ask for Mont Des Avaloirs and chasing debutant Vision Des Flos.
Black Op (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Made all, clear before last, readily, won at Stratford 2m 5f (4) sft in Oct beating Mr Antolini (11-4) by 15l, 5 ran.
Champ (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Held up in 4th place, not fluent 13th, switched left approaching 3 out, soon edged left, went 2nd going well between last 2, led last, soon quickened clear, won at Newbury 2m 6f (3) gs in Nov beating Dashel Drasher (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dashel Drasher 4-1 (11-5) Led and soon clear, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Champ (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f (3) gs in Nov.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 10th, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, driven clear last, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov beating Pym (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Held up behind, some headway into mid-division after 4 out, never threatened leaders, weakened and pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged last, soon led, headed towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Top Notch (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) sft in Nov.
