led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, headed 5th, led again 10th, driven out
in rear, mistake 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, one pace
held up when blundered and unseated rider 1st
held up in touch, went 2nd 4 out, one pace
prominent, led 5th, headed 10th, chasing leaders when fell 13th
close up, weakened from 12th, blundered and stumbled badly next, pulled up before 15th
Charingworth makes plenty of appeal at the weights after an easy success last time, however, he may not quite have the class of FABALU, who is given the vote. Donald McCain's runners are in good form and the selection was placed superbly to win a couple of novices' hurdles, while he also made the frame on two other occasions last season. Conditions appear to be ideal for the seven-year-old, which is good because his racing weight will take some carrying over this trip. He stays well and should be well schooled so we will go with him. Charingworth didn't show much over hurdles but was good enough to win a poor Sedgefield maiden chase easily last time. He is not underestimated, especially in receipt of over a stone from the selection, and should go very well. Prosecco loves some cut in the ground and was exposed from this mark over hurdles, so unless there is improvement in him for jumping a fence he looks held. Irish point winner Bay Cherry will relish the going and is proven over further than this, although two chase efforts so far suggest that improvement will be needed to win this. The ground may be too testing for course winner Waterski, who also has plenty of weight, and we will side with Fabalu.
Fabalu (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Bangor 3m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Picture In The Sky (11-5) by 3l, 4 ran.
Bay Cherry (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) In touch, chased winner 15th to before 3 out, soon ridden, left 5 lengths 2nd last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Overlady (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan.
Prosecco (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 29l behind Mr Woods (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Charingworth (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 10th, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd beating Kilkenny All Star (11-2) by 10l, 7 ran.
Waterski 11-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, headway to lead when hampered by loose horse approaching 13th, headed after last, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong to lead again post (final fence bypassed on both circuits), won at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Sierra Victor (10-0) by shd, 10 ran.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 150-1 (10-7) Led to 6th, tracked leaders, lost place 10th, last of 7, well behind Money Trix (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft.
Witness Run (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Led to 3rd, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
