with leader, led 2nd, not fluent 6th, soon headed, chased winner after, not fluent 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on to secure 2nd flat, no chance with hard held winner
jumped well, tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 5th, led after next, hard held, impressive
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced from 5 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, mistake next, not fluent 7th, jumped right and ridden next, struggling 9th, weakened 4 out
held up in 5th from 2nd, went 3rd 8th, pressed for 2nd from after 5 out, no chance with winner, 3rd and no extra towards finish
in rear, jumped right and lost touch from 4th, tailed off 9th
SPRINTER SACRE has been very impressive in his two runs over fences and is already a hot favourite for next month's Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. It will take a smart performance to lower his colours here and it's no surprise that Barry Geraghty has chosen him ahead of stablemate French Opera, who will probably need his first run since last April. Zaynar is useful but his best form is over further while Hold Fast needs to improve again on his win in a Sandown handicap, though is probably capable of doing so. I'm So Lucky isn't the force of old, however, and this looks much too tough for the veteran Kinkeel.
French Opera 2-1 (11-2) Tended to jump left, led until after 2nd, pressed leader, not fluent 8th, narrow lead again before 3 out, driven 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last, won at Sandown 2m chs G2 (1) gf in Apr beating Chaninbar (11-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 11-10 (11-6) Jumped well, led 1st, made rest, clever 3rd and 8th, winged 4 out, travelling strongly 3 out, came clear from next, easily, won at Kempton 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gd in Dec beating Peddlers Cross (11-8) by 16l, 3 ran.
Zaynar (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Led until not fluent and headed 8th, chased leaders, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Tatenen (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Hold Fast (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Chased leading trio, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating All For Free (10-1) by 7l, 9 ran.
I'm So Lucky 66-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, no chance when slightly hampered 3 out, went poor 5th soon after, 5th of 8, 19l behind Somersby (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Jan.
Kinkeel (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 8th, one pace from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Drom (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
