in touch until ridden and weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
in touch, blundered 10th, soon behind, lost touch approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
led until 3rd, lost place 5th, blundered 7th, pulled up before 9th
in touch, chasing winner when blundered 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leaders, prominent 6th, led 8th, drew clear from 2 out, driven out from last comfortably
towards rear, headway and close up approaching 4th, ridden 8th, lost touch next and pulled up after 10th
towards rear, effort 4th, ridden approaching 10th, well behind when kept on from last
tracked leader until led 3rd, headed 8th, blundered 10th, soon ridden, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
Carry Duff caught a tartar in Radnor Lad at Towcester last time but can gain compensation here at the main expense of Tacinja and Mrs O'Malley. The selection thrives on bottomless ground and a trip like this and was not disgraced when just tiring up the Towcester hill last time to claim second. He can go one better this time. Tacinja has had plenty of chances and his only wins have come on good ground, plus he is a doubtful stayer, so there are good enough reasons to oppose despite Paul Blockley's good strike rate over the sticks. Mrs O'Malley has conditions to suit and has some respectable form in the context of this poor race but is another doubtful stayer, while Neidpath Castle is worth another try at a trip like this over which he is probably not fully exposed, and he may prove to be the main danger to our pick Carry Duff.
Tacinja (GER) 10-3fav (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, chased winner approaching 2 out, every chance last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Just Jaffa (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Carryduff 9-2 (11-1) Held up, ridden 2 out, kept on strongly flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Radnor Lad (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Mrs O'Malley 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders until weakened from 12th, 7th of 10, 34l behind Royal Mackintosh (11-10) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Gunner Royal 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, reminders 10th, hit 13th, rallied 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Has Scored (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Madam Harriet 9-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, one pace from 4 out, 6th of 14, 14l behind Arceye (10-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Try Catch Paddy (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Always towards rear and pulled up 2 out in race won by Belem Ranger (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Solemn Vow 11-4fav (9-10) Behind and early reminders, headway and in touch 13th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 43l behind Has Scored (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Fourpointone 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 7th of 14, 45l behind Shulmin (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Mar.
Neidpath Castle 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 27l behind Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
