Opera Mundi gets the confident vote in this novices' chase with Ursis and Desert Air the main dangers. The selection has won two from two now over fences and although he has given the impression that a longer trip might suit, he looks a progressive sort and he is hard to oppose. Desert Air is worth consideration as he put up a fair effort when chasing home Glasker Mill last time and although he is another that is better over slightly further, he won't be far away at the finish. Ursis ran promisingly on his chasing debut over today's trip at Hereford but the step-up in trip seemed to have a really positive effect when he won last time when beating Fountain Hill on the same track. He is clearly going the right way but he is probably worth taking on back over 2m. Saint Godegrand has got some fair form and is another to consider, but for the winner we will stick with Opera Mundi.
Desert Air (JPN) 7-2 (11-4) Led to 5th, led approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Glasker Mill (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Mange Tout (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led, joined 6th, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Another Promise (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Saint Godegrand (FR) (10-12) Held up, never dangerous, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Nile Altesse (10-8) at Enghien 2m 3f ch in Nov.
Ursis (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-2) Made virtually all, headed briefly after 2nd, clear after 8th, unchallenged, won at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating Fountain Hill (11-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
Opera Mundi (FR) 4-7fav (10-13) Chased clear leader, closed on leader after 7th, challenged 2 out, ridden into narrow advantage when good jump last, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Private Be (11-1) by 4l, 3 ran.
Raffles (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 5, 2l behind Super Solo (10-5) at La Teste De Buch 2m 2f 4yo hdl in Jul.
