Tough Opera wins Sandown thriller French Opera (2-1) won a thrilling renewal of the Grade 2 bet365.com Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday. Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old was one of five horses still with a chance of victory jumping the final fence but he bounded up the hill best of all under Tony McCoy for a two-length success. "It doesn't get much better than seeing two-milers wing their way round there, it was a proper race," said trainer Nicky Henderson. "He's been busy, winning the Game Spirit and going to Cheltenham then Aintree and I'd pretty much finished with him. "Judy Wilson (owner) didn't want to go to Punchestown but I entered him for this out of interest. "When I saw the entries, we put the saddle back on!" Chaninbar, who has refused to race on his last three starts, seemed to enjoy the whole experience and he ran on well to take second place at 33-1. 6-4 favourite Tataniano jumped well throughout but he lost ground from the Pond Fence and plugged on at one pace thereafter to finish fifth just behind Cornas and Oiseau De Nuit.
