held up in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and went clear 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish
behind, reminders 3rd, lost touch and pulled up before 5th
close up on outside, lost place 6th, soon struggling, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked winner, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened flat
made all, driven 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and edged right under pressure flat, held on towards finish
Vic Dartnell has his string in good form right now and GILES CROSS is taken to make amends for falling four out when travelling well here last month and he can resume winning ways in this novices' chase where the main threats look to be Mobaasher and Connak. The Alner's gelding has shown improvement with each start over fences but needs to improve again to trouble the selection and the lightly raced eight-year-old may have to settle for a place at best. Blackanblue showed only limited ability in point-to-points and again in two starts under rules, while Cashel Blue, who is another trained by Robert and Sally Alner, was well beaten first time up over fences at Exeter in November and is readily opposable. Mobaasher showed some decent form over hurdles for Venetia Williams last season and was not disgraced when seventh in the World Hurdle. A winner on his chasing debut at Southwell last month, he was not disgraced behind Inchidaly Rock at Cheltenham subsequently and has solid claims and preference is for Giles Cross, who has the better form over the larger obstacles.
Mobaasher (USA) 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, ridden 15th, soon struggling, no chance when blundered 3 out, went modest 3rd after next, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Inchidaly Rock (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Blackanblue 66-1 (10-11) Held up, soon in touch, ridden 14th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 33l behind Shannon Springs (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gs in Jun.
Cashel Blue (USA) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Cross Kennon (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Connak (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked winner, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Richard's Sundance (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Giles Cross (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Led, going well when mistake and fell 4 out, in a race won by Mark The Book (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
