tracked leaders, going well when left in lead 3 out, hard driven run-in, caught final strides
in touch, ridden and blundered 9th, driven and left 2nd 3 out, driven and ran on to lead final strides
badly hampered and unseated rider 1st
held up in rear, headway from 9th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
led to 6th, stayed prominent, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up next
behind, headway approaching 4 out, left moderate 4th next
always behind, blundered 5th, struggling 7th, tailed off
not fluent 2nd, tracked leader until led 6th, one length ahead when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced by front pair
In an interesting beginners' chase, Dusky Warbler is selected ahead of Witness Run and I'm Lovin It. The one-time very useful hurdler, Dusky Warbler, who achieved a rating of 140 in that sphere back in April 2006, would hold major claims if transferring anywhere near that level of ability to fencing. Witness Run looks the danger as, apart from a fall at Towcester last time, his efforts over fences have been fair - certainly in the context of this race. Carthys Cross has gained plenty of placings but struggles to get the number one spot, while I'm Lovin It's second here to Vingis Park over a longer trip last time brings him right into it as it was a fair effort. Finally, Count Kristo will need to improve by a few pounds to make an impact on his chasing debut, and Trampoline King will also have to do so, alhough he did show improved form last time. Once again, though, the selection is Dusky Warbler.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered and left 2nd 4 out, hampered and left in clear lead 3 out, lost interest soon after, 20L ahead when refused 2 out, remounted, ran on, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Chain (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf in Apr.
Dusky Warbler 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place from 6th, 16th of 22, 43l behind Two Miles West (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
I'm Lovin It (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Keen, held up, hit 6th, headway 10th, close 3rd 4 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Vingis Park (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Royal Fontenailles (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 15l behind Tytheknot (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Rustic John 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, never a factor, 6th of 13, 33l behind Galway (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd.
Trampoline King (USA) 16-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway after 9th, in 4th and chasing leaders when mistake, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sunley Shines (10-8) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
Witness Run (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) With leader, not fluent 9th, still pressing when fell 4 out in race won by Chain (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf in Apr, 4 ran.
Count Kristo 6-1 (11-2) Keen in mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Zero (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf.
