This Prestige Steeplechase over 4000m drew a small and poor field of many old jumpers and several runners out of form so no surprise in the first three home being over fifty-one lengths ahead of the fourth finisher. The Big Opal was a clear leader as he always does when trying to run the fight and will out of his rivals plus knock the stuffing out of them should they hope to get a second wind. The 8yo carrying 66.5kg had a big lead one lap out and even more with a 1000m to go then suddenly held just a three length margin across the top and only a two length lead turning for home. His main pursuant however could not get any closer and he was holding too well for them at the line to score by two and a half lengths in 4:54.30. It was his seventh win in forty-seven starts and his fifth win from seven steeplechase outings plus it gave the most astute stable in the land, the Kevin Myers yard, the Prestige jumps double on the card. The Big Opal has won on good or bottomless footing so the natural front-running leaper is unaffected by track presentation and/or the weather. Mr Mor, a 12yo carrying 70kg, ran on well for second after sitting fourth and then being a very distant third across the top and was left second over the last fence when Joking landed awkwardly and lost his rider. Fair Script settled back and was a colossal distance away down the backstraight the last time before moving into a very distant fourth across the top. He kept running on well and despite being left third over the final fence did hit the line hard line on a track he has a particular penchant for with its sand-slitting. Palemo, who last won a race in June of 2014, was struggling well back a long way from home and the 10yo was fourth beaten over fifty-one lengths. West End staggered home just under eighty lengths from the winner down to a walk and the other three did not complete. The Fox was distant third a lap out and then dropped out before being pulled up without clearing the final fence. Joking was chasing the winner in a gap and got to within two lengths but landed awkwardly over the final fence when second for sure and lost his rider. Nells Belle fresh up jumped the first fence ordinarily and then became detached and was pulled up midrace. This was a poor field and an ageing one and many were underdone or out of form so the result is very dubious. Most of these need wetter and more testing footing to keep up in the best of times and the jumps season still has several months to go so they will be seen again good health and wetter weather permitting.