towards rear, mistake 8th, under pressure when fell 4 out
chased leaders, driven 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, in touch when brought down 5 out
with leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, 3 lengths clear last, ridden flat, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards
mistake 1st, mid-division on inside, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, weakened and eased 2 out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, never near leaders
mid-division, outpaced when blundered and almost unseated rider 3 out, not recover, pulled up before next
with leader, led 6th, hard pressed 3 out, blundered and headed next, kept on same pace, lost 2nd after last, no impression with leading pair flat
keen early, mistake 2nd, held up behind, mistake 4th, in rear when hampered and brought down 4 out
in touch, outpaced 4 out, chased leading pair briefly next, kept on same pace, no impression from next
always behind
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, soon struggling, behind when hampered and rider lost iron 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, blundered 10th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden after next, beaten when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, 5th next, 4 lengths down in 3rd last, rallied flat, led final 75 yards, ridden out
tracked leaders, chased leading pair after 3 out, outpaced before next, ridden and lost place when not fluent last, no impression
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 8th
led to 6th, remained prominent, in touch when fell 5 out
mid-division, 7th when fell 5 out
mid-division, driven 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never near leaders
chased leaders on outside, outpaced 4 out, lost place next, soon weakened
always behind
French Opera's second to Sprinter Sacre at Newbury was a very commendable comeback run and he can go close here, despite his welter burden. His trainer also has Tanks For That and Kid Cassidy near the head of the handicap and the former won a valuable handicap here in November, though was beaten a long way behind Oiseau De Nuit in this last year. Colin Tizzard's gelding is 7lb higher this time around but has been keeping decent company this year. Eradicate, Bellvano and last year's sixth Anquetta are other entries from the Henderson yard and the all-conquering trainer is making a determined effort to end the meeting on a high but Ferdy Murphy rarely leaves The Festival without a winner and DE BOITRON could be his best hope this year. A staying-on fourth 12 months ago when a couple of pounds higher in the weights, he is a pound out of the handicap this time around but Lucy Alexander's claim takes care of that and a recent third behind Tara Royal at Musselburgh will have put the finishing touches to his preparation. Novices have a good record in this finale and Astracad, Kumbeshwar and Toulab all have the ability to play a part granted luck in running but none of the Irish raiders make much appeal at the weights.
French Opera 16-1 (11-10) With leader, led 2nd, not fluent 6th, soon headed, chased winner after, not fluent 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on to secure 2nd flat, no chance with hard held winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Cornas (NZ) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear in main group, close up 7th, 4th and outpaced after 10th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, mistake 6th, struggling and no chance from 8th, tailed off, 7th of 8, 37l behind Somersby (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Jan.
Tanks For That (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leading pair, chased winner from 2 out, about 2 lengths down when blundered 2 out, soon no impression, weakened flat, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Kid Cassidy (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Made all, pulled hard, hit 6th, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan beating Kumbeshwar (11-1) by 4l, 3 ran.
Astracad (FR) 11-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit and hampered when left 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed soon after last, rallied flat, regained lead final stride, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec beating Rileyev (10-1) by hd, 9 ran.
Renard (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, soon led, clear last, easily, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan beating Lord Singer (10-6) by 6l, 10 ran.
Kumbeshwar 5-1 (11-1) Chased leader, hard ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Toubab (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, hit 3rd, went 2nd on bit 2 out, led last, very easily, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (2) gd in Feb beating Falcon Island (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
King Edmund 28-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 14th of 18, 43l behind Bourne (9-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Slieveardagh (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden entering straight, headway to lead last and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs gd beating Donnas Palm (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Eradicate (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen in 3rd, went 2nd from 4th, led 9th, headed after 4 out, upsides 2 out, narrow lead last, ridden run-in, just held on, won at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gs in Jan beating Kudu Country (11-7) by shd, 6 ran.
Tara Royal 11-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, closed 8th, led 3 out, clear after next, eased towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb beating Woody Waller (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bellvano (GER) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd and 2nd, led after last, kept on well, hard held, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Feb beating Kings Grey (11-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
Anquetta (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 6th, under pressure next, weakened 2 out, last of 10, 43l behind Quicuyo (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Lucky William (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up and took keen hold, went 4th approaching 2 out, no extra in straight and kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 22l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Ultimate 7-2 (10-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd beating Silk Drum (11-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Free World (FR) 28-1 (11-3) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace, 14th of 20, 13l behind Dul Ar An Ol (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Feb.
De Boitron (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Tara Royal (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb.
Idarah (USA) 14-1 (11-10) Always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, led narrowly after 2 out, strongly pressed from last and kept on gamely to hold on, won at Naas 2m hcp hdl 88-130 sft in Feb beating Rocky Wednesday (11-1) by nk, 10 ran.
Norther Bay (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Loosen My Load (11-9) at Navan 2m 4f chs gd in Sep, 6 ran.
