STAGECOACH OPAL, only four pounds higher than when taking a good contest at Doncaster last time, is taken to see off the challenges of Silver by Nature and The Whisperer. That success looks a solid effort, given that the sixth home that day scored at Fakenham on Monday, and he was landing a deserved success, having run well in defeat on many occasions. He has won on this ground, and now that he has learnt how to win, Stagecoach Opal can do it again. The Whisperer is a classy type, and is capable of being thereabouts despite his hefty burden. He is having his first run for nine months and may need the outing, and he also looks a shade one paced so is opposed today. Silver by Nature ran well on his chasing bow, chasing home the useful Kealshore Boy here, before disappointing next time at Wetherby. He returns to Gosforth Park and perhaps can re-kindle that earlier form after a break. It took a while for Stagecoach Opal to land his first chase, but he is taken to show the handicapper has been lenient.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 125-1 (10-9) Led 1st to 4th, led 6th until headed approaching 16th, soon weakened, finish tailed off, 15th of 40, well behind Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd in Apr.
The Whisperer (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, blundered 6th, challenged 3 out, every chance until no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-6) at Perth 3m nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
The Luder (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, stumbled 1st, mistakes, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Hoopy (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) In rear, chased leaders after 5 out, weakened from next, 6th of 13, 39l behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Silver By Nature 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 5 out soon lost place, 4th of 6, 22l behind Will Be Done (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Scarvagh Diamond (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened 10th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind More Likely (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Stagecoach Opal 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, driven to lead near line, won at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec beating Ngong Hills (10-1) by a hd, 16 ran.
Montevideo 40-1 (10-11) Behind, reminders 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 23l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Raining Horse (FR) 15-2 (11-4) In rear, ridden and lost place 11th, soon tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Stagecoach Opal (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Crackadee 14-1 (11-12) Held up, pushed along approaching 5th, reminders approaching 8th, weakened approaching 12th, 5th of 11, well behind Gidam Gidam (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Darina's Boy 11-1 (10-6) In touch when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Trisons Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led to 7th, chased leaders, led again 10th, headed 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Gidam Gidam (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.