held up in 5th and off the pace, went 4th 4 out, went 2nd approaching and plenty to do when hit 2 out, plugged on, never able to challenge
always in last pair, never involved, tailed off
held up in 4th and off the pace, went moderate 2nd 8th until 4 out, stayed pressing for 2nd, stayed on same pace flat
not fluent, held up in 6th and off the pace, slow 4th, struggling 7th, switched right before last, went poor 4th flat, never involved
jumped well, set strong pace and made all, went well clear before 3rd, maintained strong pace, kept on strongly, unchallenged
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, struggling in 5th when hit 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 6th, chased clear winner 4 out until ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
chased clear winner, went left 3rd, lost 2nd and mistake 8th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
WISHFULL THINKING couldn't match the finishing speed of Champion Chase winner Finian's Rainbow in the Melling Chase at Aintree but that was a welcome return to form for Philip Hobbs' charge, who will be suited by the much softer conditions here. He was beaten a long way behind Somersby in the Victor Chandler at Ascot in January but different tactics were tried that day and the run is best ignored. The nine-year-old can turn the form around on better terms and land this nice prize. After chasing home Sprinter Sacre in the Game Spirit on his reappearance, French Opera fell in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. He'll be happier racing off level weights against most of these and could figure but this may be too tough for the Nicholls' pair Sanctuaire and Woolcoombe Folly while Cornas is exposed at this level. Dan Breen and West With The Wind also have a bit to find.
Somersby (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 9th, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced by leaders, no extra from next, 7th of 12, 17l behind Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Cornas (NZ) 7-1 (11-13) unplaced, well behind Overlord (11-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f chs sft.
Dan Breen (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 12th of 24, 18l behind Attaglance (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-145) (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
French Opera 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 8th, under pressure when fell 4 out, in a race won by Bellvano (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 21 ran.
Sanctuaire (FR) 2-5fav (11-7) Made all, took keen hold and soon clear, hit 9th, unchallenged, won at a canter, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (4) gd in Mar beating Gracchus (11-7) by 41l, 4 ran.
West With The Wind 5-1 (11-10) Led, joined 6th, headed 8th, with winner until outpaced and blundered 4 out, lost 2nd approaching next, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 39l behind Gauvain (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov.
Wishfull Thinking 15-2 (11-10) In rear, mistake 10th, went 3rd and headway after 4 out, led before 2 out, headed soon after, ridden before last, kept on and always well held by winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, hit 9th and reminders, never in contention, 7th of 12, 34l behind Aerial (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
