tracked clear leader, close up after 5 out, led before next, 2 lengths clear last, ridden out flat, kept on
held up in 3rd, tracked winner 4 out, shaken up 2 out, 2 lengths down when awkward on landing last, ridden and kept on flat, always held
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, went modest 3rd before next, no chance with clear pair
led, clear to after 5 out, headed before next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
Caius Marcius has been rated as high as 129 over hurdles and is an interesting recruit to fencing with Brian Hughes booked for the ride. The move to the larger obstacles is possibly due to him rather being in the grip of the handicapper over timber but he has plenty of time left to take to his new discipline. He'll enjoy the ground here but CURIOUS CARLOS is just preferred despite having to give 6lb to the Richards' inmate. He has come to fences at a relatively late stage of his career but didn't put a foot wrong on chasing bow at Sedgefield and can make his experience count. Winning pointer Cool Valley is best of the remaining pair.
Curious Carlos 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 9th, headed 3 out, joined leader next, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Sedgefield 2m (4) gd in May beating Ballyvic Boru (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway when switched left before 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 14l behind Cool Sky (10-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Cool Valley (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) (h, cp) hdwy 4 out; led 2 out; r.o wl, won at Heslaker 2m 4f gd in May beating Carlos Gardel (12-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Leonasisland (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Taxmeifyoucan (10-13) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
