tracked leader, with leader 7th, every chance 3 out, led before 2 out, headd before last, kept on same pace
close up, tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 3 out
prominent, ridden to lead before last, kept on well towards finish
led, headed before 2 out, in 2nd and staying on when blundered last, soon weakened
held up in rear, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, in rear and lost place from 8th
The Thirsty Bricky did well last season, winning three times including once over C&D in March. He has to be respected, despite picking up a penalty for his victory at Hexham eight days ago, but we just prefer MON CHEVALIER. Lightly-raced over fences, Carroll Gray's nine-year-old came up against a progressive sort in Take Of Shoc'S at Stratford last time and can return to winning ways here. Alpha One's jumping is still a little sticky and he has his fair share of weight but Carters Rest is closely matched with The Thirsty Bricky on a line through Carlisle winner Saddle Pack and makes more appeal than C&D winner Strathaird at the weights.
The Thirsty Bricky (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, led after 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Apr beating Saddle Pack (10-1) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Alpha One (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Global Flyer (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar, 4 ran.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, went 2nd when hit 2 out, 4 lengths down and ridden before last, rallied briefly flat, well held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Take Of Shoc's (10-10) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Carters Rest 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders and keen, every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Saddle Pack (9-10) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Option Money (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division on inner, headway to chase leaders before 10th, chased winner before 6 out, weakened before and in 4th place when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Wide Receiver (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Strathaird (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) In rear, headway 5 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 32l behind Saddle Pack (10-8) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
