tracked leaders, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on and every chance last, ridden and held towards finish
made all, hard pressed between last 2, ridden and held on well flat
not fluent 1st, close up, ridden after 4 out, soon lost place, rallied between last 2, kept on, no impression
held up, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace no impression
close up, effort and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
After comfortably landing the odds last time out we'll retain faith in OPATJA but at the weights Shipboard Romance looks very dangerous while Crow Spinney should also be involved. The selection landed a maiden against similar opposition in impressive style last time out and as a former group class runner on the flat it is possible there is more to come on ground which should suit. Having not been completely disgraced by the high-class pair of Riverside Theatre and Hector's Choice on her last run Shipboard Romance should be bang in with a chance here if repeating that run off bottom weight here. Crow Spinney has been consistent at this level on her last two starts and she should be involved against this opposition. Jane Of Arc held her form in two solid efforts in Novice Hurdles at the end of last year but has been running with limited success on the level since, that said she is better in this sphere. This could turn out to be an intriguing contest where Opatja just should take it.
Opatja 8-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 5th, in command when blundered 2 out, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Je Ne Sais Plus (11-0) by 8l, 10 ran.
Crow Spinney 25-1 (11-7) Chased leader until led 3rd, hit 5th, headed well over 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 18l behind Santera (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gf.
Jane of Arc (FR) 2-1fav (10-11) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, headway 3 out, driven and one pace from next, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Titfer (10-7) at Doncaster 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Sparkling Zola 50-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 5th of 8, well behind Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Be Smart (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, some headway in 7th before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 29l behind Mickle Bower (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Mar.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Led, ridden and headed when not much room 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Catching The Light (USA) 14-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, closed 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 11, 42l behind Know The Law (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
