led until headed 4th, led again next, drew clear from 4 out, 10 lengths clear when not fluent last, eased flat, easily
tracked winner, led 4th to 5th, outpaced 4 out, lost 2nd 3 out, soon weakened
jumped right throughout, held up, went 2nd 3 out, 10 lengths down last, stayed on flat, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Lennon did everything asked of him when making a winning start to his chasing career over course and distance last month but Howard Johnson's gelding may struggle under a penalty and preference is for L'Antartique, who is marginally preferred to Swing Bill. The last mentioned, a dual winner over hurdles in France, is hard to weigh up on his British debut for Henrietta Knight but lack of a run may be of some concern so he may be best watched. Henry Daly's Opera de Coeur showed progressive form over hurdles last term and has to be of interest on his chasing debut, while Blu Teen would need to improve for the switch to chasing to trouble the selection. Backstage may struggle under his penalty for his win at Cheltenham last month and a better bet looks to be L'Antartique. Ferdy Murphy's gelding, like a lot of his stablemates, looked in need of the run when a well held fourth here on his reappearance but he should have come on a bundle for that outing, remains a gelding of some potential and is taken to have progressed enough to open his account over fences today.
Lennon (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Made all, ridden clear from 2 out, won at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gd in Oct beating Penzance (11-8) by 14l, 4 ran.
Backstage (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Made all, hit 3 out, in command next, soon clear, eased flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Carthys Cross (11-4) by 16l, 6 ran.
Opera de Coeur (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, driven along after 6th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 13, 18l behind Detroit City (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Blu Teen (FR) 1-3fav (11-7) Led, 10 lengths clear and in command when pecked and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Dreams Jewel (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
L'Antartique (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 34l behind Turko (10-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Swing Bill (FR) (10-10) Led 3 out, comfortably, won at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl hvy in Mar beating Neobis (10-3) by 3l, 17 ran.
