tracked leaders, dropped rear 8th, mistake next, soon lost touch
tracked winner to 11th, outpaced next
held up, headway 9th, chased winner from 11th, soon no chance
jumped left throughout, made all, clear after 9th, easily
An uncompetitive contest and, barring accidents, this should prove a formality for The French Furze, who can make a winning chase debut. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding is on a longish losing sequence over timber but boasts some smart form this term including a fine second, beaten six lengths, behind Intersky Falcon in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November. Sure to have been well schooled for this introduction over the larger obstacles, the nine-year-old is entitled to win this in a hack canter. Ex-Irish hurdler Classic Lash recorded back-to-back wins in modest handicaps for former connections but was bitterly disappointing on his British debut here in December so Sound Of Cheers, who has shown some ability over fences, can chase the selection home.
