reluctant leader at steady pace, hit 12th, blundered and headed 2 out, chased winner after, held last, no impression on winner towards finish
reluctant to race and soon behind, just in touch in rear 12th, driven and no impression after next
chased leader, hit 8th, lost 2nd next, regained 2nd 10th, mistake 11th, blundered and weakened 14th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
blundered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leaders, blundered 5th, went 2nd 9th to next, blundered 13th, soon recovered, led 2 out, in command last, shaken up and kept on running
pulled hard, blundered 1st, held up in touch, mistake 8th, headway to chase leaders 12th, close 3rd and going well enough when blundered badly 3 out, not recover
held up in 5th, blundered 9th, steady headway after 4 out, went 3rd next, no impression on front pair when jumped left last 2
Carnival Town is given the vote here ahead of Treasury Counsel and Trigger The Light. The selection has the advantage of race-fitness over his two main rivals and that may count in the finish. Jonjo O'Neill's lightly-raced six-year-old showed plenty of ability when only beaten by a length on his recent chasing debut at Bangor and he showed a good attitude on that occasion. His jumping was fluent and he may have too much zest for his rivals this afternoon. Trigger The Light must come into calculations as the Alan King stable are in good form and the return to this sort of trip for his chasing debut looks sure to suit. Treasury Counsel encounters different ground than he ran on when last seen but he has shown ability on soft ground to date so with plenty in his favour a big run can be expected, although he is yet to race past two miles and five furlongs. Vitray must warrant respect on his first start for Paul Nicholls, and plenty is thought of this well-bred gelding. However his first start over fences was planned for earlier in the season and so with his preparation presumably having suffered a couple of setbacks, a watching brief may be the best advice. This is a good race, and future winners will surely follow, however it is Carnival Town who is taken to win today.
Carnival Town 16-1 (11-2) In touch, went 2nd at 9th, led 11th, hit 3 out, headed last, kept on, always held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Money Order (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs.
Sintos 25-1 (11-7) Soon ridden along vigorously, ran in snatches, mistake 4th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Ilongue (10-0) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Sterling Heights (NZ) 33-1 (11-0) Led, headed and mistake 5th, with leader when lost action and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Keswick (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun '06, 8 ran.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) 4-1fav (10-8) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, driven and one pace approaching last, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Trigger The Light 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden 5th, no real headway approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 12l behind Albertas Run (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Vitray (FR) (10-6) In touch to halfway, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 39l behind Or Noir De Somoza (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (A) hvy in Nov '06.
Ya I Know (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 10, 4l behind Citizen Shan (12-0) at Killaloe 3m ire ptp in Feb.
