CHAPOTURGEON sets the standard here and is taken to win with both Song of Songs and French Salulaie worth noting. The selection is trained by Paul Nicholls and caught the eye when second to Araldur at Warwick last time out. He was a fair winning hurdler rated as high as 133 so if he can transform that class to the bigger obstacles he could prove difficult to beat with a clear round. Song of Songs gained back to back victories at Wincanton and Kempton last season earning himself a mark of 129. He was exposed at the top level at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals but has his first run over fences at a moderate track. That said it's no moderate race and connections will be pleased with a decent placed effort. French Salulaie has been a decent hurdler rated as high as 149 at his peak. Phillip Hobbs has his team in great nick at present so he again is to be added to the short list. A highly competitive novice event however for the winner we will return to Chapoturgeon.
French Saulaie (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 19l behind Pop (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Isn't That Lucky 7-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd 8th, ridden and no impression from 4 out, no chance with winner when hit 2 out, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Sandy's Legend (USA) 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Supsonic (10-5) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) sft.
Song of Songs 7-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Pearl King (10-10) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 8-11fav (10-10) Soon pressing leader, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Araldur (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Haar 10-3fav (11-5) Chased leader to 3rd, remained handy, outpaced after 3 out, hung right approaching last, ran on flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Mujamead (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Qualypso D'allier (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 41l behind Award Winner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
