chased leader after 3rd, reminder 6th, ridden 15th, headway 4 out, ran on well to go 2nd from last
held up towards rear, mistake 14th and 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
led, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last
held up towards rear, mistake 9th, headway and chased leader 17th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, driven clear from 2 out
prominent, ridden 16th, no impression
chased leader, ridden and lost touch 12th, soon behind
held up last, ridden 17th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on one pace from 3 out
French Executive had Orswell Crest well behind him when third behind Itsonlyme at Cheltenham last month and is fancied to beat him again and take this with Saffron Sun rated the best of the remainder. The selection was a perennial bridesmaid over hurdles but seems much better over the larger obstacles and was recording his second success over fences when scoring at Stratford in October. French Executive lost no caste in defeat at Cheltenham and, in a poor race, has every chance of returning to winning ways. Orswell Crest had Saffron Sun well behind when winning at Sandown last month but never looked like threatening the winner at Cheltenham and is difficult to fancy on that evidence. Colin Tizzard has his string in good order at present so, off a favourable mark, Mister One has to be respected but his recent form is a concern and a bigger danger may be Rufius, who can now race off his proper mark. However, French Executive has an obvious chance and is taken to give Paul Nicholls another winner.
