held up, left 3rd when slightly hampered 3rd, went 2nd after next, ridden after 9th, no chance with winner from 3 out
chased leaders, left 2nd 3rd, led soon after 4th, forged clear from 3 out, very easily
chasing leader when fell 3rd
held up, left 4th 3rd, disputed 2nd from 6th, propped on landing 8th, mistake next, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd approaching last
FRENCH OPERA was easily the pick of these over hurdles, is race fit following a winning return in a handicap at Aintree off a mark of 132 last month and Nicky Henderson's gelding is taken to make a winning start to his chase career with the main dangers rated as Doctor David and Sea The Light. Alan King's gelding has not been seen for nearly two years now but was capable over hurdles on his day and he has to be considered on his chasing debut. Gary Moore's Ameeq has been well held in recent starts over hurdles and on the flat but is a useful performer and he may do better now switched to the larger obstacles. It was no surprise to see Henry Daly's Beherayn, a half-brother to Behrajan, put over fences early in his career but he is probably best watched having fallen on his chasing debut at Ascot last week and of more interest may be Doctor David. Caroline Bailey's gelding made a pleasing debut over fences when a close third behind Afsoun at Warwick earlier this month and he has to be considered but it is Afsoun's stable companion French Opera that looks the one to be on.
Ameeq (USA) 33-1 (11-7) Held up well in rear, some headway when mistake 3 out, soon beaten, not fluent 2 out, 8th of 17, 19l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Beherayn 7-2 (11-0) Led until fell at the 5th in race won by Cheating Chance (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd, 5 ran.
Doctor David 8-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led 7th, jumped right next, hit 2 out, ridden, headed towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Afsoun (11-1) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gs.
French Opera 5-1 (11-8) Made all, soon clear until hit 4 out, ridden out, won at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct beating Dishdasha (11-1) by 3l, 14 ran.
Sea The Light 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sunisa (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec '06, 13 ran.
