chased leader, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last
prominent, challenged after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, driven clear from last, readily
held up towards rear, ridden to chase leader after 3 out, no impression after
virtually refused to race, well behind when refused 1st
mid-division, ridden and good headway from 3 out, every chance 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace flat, no chance with winner
held up in touch, weakened 6th, pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace after
held up in touch, lost place 5th, soon behind
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
French Opera was nothing out of the ordinary on the flat when with Jamie Osborne but may well still be good enough to make a winning start to his hurdling career against some moderate looking rivals, the pick of which look to be Cockatoo and Pantherus. The last mentioned was no better than moderate on the flat in France and does not look to be much better over hurdles judged by his debut effort at Wincanton so is probably best watched. South Hill gave no sign of optimism on his hurdling debut and has been well beaten back on the level since and of more interest may be John Spearing's Soulard, who was a Catterick maiden winner for Jeremy Noseda but disappointed on his debut for new connections on the level at Wolverhampton recently. French Opera would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to make a winning start to his hurdling career though and he gets the vote.
Airbound (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 5th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pauillac (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Barodine 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, led 3rd until next, stayed prominent, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 14, 35l behind Nawaadi (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 10th of 17, 38l behind Silver Jaro (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Cockatoo (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Supsonic (11-0) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
French Opera 9-1 (9-5) Behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 14l behind Lady Romanov (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
Maraakez 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Nawaadi (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Pantherus (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 15, well behind Raslan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Prince Des Neiges (FR) 50-1 (8-11) Bolted before start, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 23l behind Symbol Of Peace (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Sabre Hongrois (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 5th of 14, 45l behind Silver Sister (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Saxon Star (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Raslan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Soulard (USA) 33-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 26l behind Wild Pitch (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Valuta (USA) 25-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 16l behind Noble Minstrel (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Our Time (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear and not fluent throughout, blundered 4th, weakened 3 out, last of 12, well behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
South Hill 250-1 (10-0) Always in rear, 11th of 15, well behind Punjabi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
