made all, left with uncontested lead throughout, unchallenged
in touch, blundered 6th, mistake 8th, lost place 12th, jumped slow 2 out, took poor 3rd, last
chased leading pair, lost place 4th, headway 14th, disputing 2nd when fell next
chased winner until before 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
held up in last place, headway 14th, chased winner before 3 out, ridden next, soon beaten, virtually walked over line
held up, improved to 3rd at 8th, blundered and unseated rider 10th
The regulars will take the roof off the stand if COOL ROXY can take his trainer's race and the course specialist has sound claims of doing so. Cathedral Rock and Big Rob are talented individuals who could pose problems but both have had their problems. Cool Roxy won this race last year from the same mark when beating Big Rob, who is 7lbs worse off, into second and he looks primed to complete a famous double. Nine of the eleven year old's ten career wins have been achieved at this circuit and there would be no more popular winner at the track all season. Big Rob won twice last season after finishing second here but also pulled up twice and he has struggled for consistency although the jumping problems that plagued him for so long appear to be a thing of the past. Cathedral Rock is a young horse with plenty of ability but he has his quirks and it's interesting to see him tried in a visor here; he has a little to prove but is capable of going close. Irish Wolf has been given every chance by the handicapper if he can recapture his best form whilst Thistlecraft is another on a fair mark and no forlorn hope either but it would be churlish of any of them to crash the party and Cool Roxy can provide his trainer with a birthday winner.
Cool Roxy 12-1 (10-13) Led to 1st, chased leader, led 4th, headed 7th, dropped to rear 9th, not fluent 2 out, staying on when hampered last, gaining towards finish, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Loita Hills (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Cathedral Rock (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) In touch, losing place when hit 9th, mistake 11th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, 9th of 16, 43l behind Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Irish Wolf (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Always behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Iris De Balme (9-7) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Big Rob (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Mid-division, lost place and mistake 8th, behind from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 22 ran.
Ballybough Jack (IRE) 15-8fav (12-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 20l behind Brave Jo (10-12) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, stumbled 4th, ridden after 3 out, close 5th when mistake 2 out, beaten approaching last, hung right flat, 4th of 7, 7l behind Loita Hills (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
