with leader, led after 8th, headed 2 out, weakened on extended run-in
held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakened under pressure approaching last
chased leaders to 6th, tailed off
led, mistake 6th, hit 8th, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, raced keenly, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 7th, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, pushed along after 7th, weakened after 8th
promient, not fluent 7th, challenged after 8th, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, ridden after 7th, led last, driven out
held up in rear, headway after 8th, switched right approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
prominent, pecked 2nd, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened after 8th
held up, not fluent 5th, well behind from next, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 4th, effort when not fluent 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
in rear, mistake 4th, ridden and lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
never going, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
French Horse, Oscar Honey and Orion d'Oudairies are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to French Horse. The selection had every chance when falling at the last in a race won by Aigle D'or. That form looks solid and under similar conditions here he need only put in a clear round to score. Oscar Honey rates the main danger on his latest third behind Candy Girl in a Grade 2 race. This looks easier and with the drop in trip also in his favour he should be watched in the market. Orion d'Oudairies hails from the in-form Alan King yard and was a fair third behind Petitfour last time out, he is another with place claims but he would be better off with the selection if this were a handicap. Of the remainder Andrew Nick won well last time but will do well to give weight and a beating to some less exposed types, while the booking of Richard Johnson for Fighting Chance catches the eye. However for the winner we are happy to return to French Horse.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Not fluent, led to 5th, tracked leader, hit next, ridden to lead again before 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Tuskar Rock (11-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
A French Horse (FR) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, took closer order 5th, every chance when fell at the last in race won by Aigle D'or (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Cadoulor (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, stuggling 10th, 8th of 14, 48l behind Spare Cash (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Cast Cada (IRE) (12-0) Going well, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Killeagh 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan beating Ghonny Withthebowe (12-0) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Crashtown Hall (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 6th, kept on one pace, 7th of 17, 41l behind Oscar Bay (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, last of 13, well behind Crescent Island (11-4) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Freeze Up (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, niggled along after 5th, losing touch when jumped left and mistake 7th, tailed off after 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Lappeenranta (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leader, bumped 1st, hit 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 15, 27l behind Bluegun (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Orion d'Oudairies (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden and headway after 7th, stayed on, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Predictive (FR) 6-1 (10-9) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened 5f out, 7th of 16, well behind Finney (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Public Esteem (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, effort 7th, some headway, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 12, 30l behind Canalturn (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Silver Bay 22-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off after 7th, 6th of 14, well behind Oniphlaure (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Waiting For Godot (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 35l behind Spare Cash (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Jeanann's First 200-1 (10-5) Led early, chased leader until 12f out, still in touch until weakened 5f out, last of 15, well behind The Package (10-12) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gf in Apr '07.
Silver Missile 50-1 (11-0) Close up until weakened over 3f out, last of 20, well behind Lindeman (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr.
Oscar Honey (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 4th 3 out, progress to lead entering straight, headed from 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, jumped slightly right last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Candy Girl (11-1) at Limerick 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
