soon held up in 5th, blundered 11th and ridder lost irons, headway 14th, chased winner 2 out, closed flat, always held
jumped right, soon chased leader until 8th, never travelling after, blundered 11th, struggling after, tailed off
chased leading pair, chased winner 8th, hit 12th, left 2nd at 14th, no impression on winner when lost 2nd 2 out
soon held up in 6th, reminders 13th, went moderate 4th and hit 4 out, hampered by loose horse, no impression next
made all, blundered 4th, left clear 14th, about 6 lengths ahead approaching last, tiring near finish, always holding on
in touch, went 3rd 10th, went 2nd 12th, one length down and going okay when blundered and unseated rider 14th
CHOPNEYEV can roll back the years at the expense of Georges Boy and Beauchamp Prince. Richard Phillips veteran has been a credit to connections over the years and he showed he retains a degree of ability with his recent second placing at Warwick. With the likelihood of a soft lead on this occasion, he can make the others pay heavily. Georges Boy is more than capable of landing this but he is incredibly inconsistent so we might watch the market just to make sure. Beauchamp Prince was given a hefty whack by the handicapper for dotting up in a Newton Abbot chase in August. He has had a break of a couple of months so could have freshened up for it. Teamgeist has gone well for inexperienced riders in the past so don't rule him out at the likely odds. Amoreigh looks plenty exposed though is arguably best of the rest. Chopneyev gets the vote.
Teamgeist (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up, closer order 8th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, well behind Apatura Dik (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Georges Boy (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Chased leader, led after 4th to 6th, mistake 11th, weakened 13th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Pangbourne (11-3) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Chopneyev (FR) 22-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 3rd, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Natoumba (11-3) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Beauchamp Prince (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Held up, blundered 6th, headway 13th, chased leaders next, mistake and lost place 15th, rallied under pressure before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Jim Bobs Girl (10-5) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Amoreigh (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until driven and lost touch on 10th, well behind 13th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 44l behind The Ring (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Mid-division, reminders 3rd, weakened 8th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 18 ran.
