led to 3f out, soon ridden, remained challenging, 1 length down flat, kept on towards finish
chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, reminded after 9th, soon lost place, took moderate form flat
chased leader, led 3f out, not fluent and headed 2f out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, niggled along 6th, ridden after 7th, led 2f out, hung left from approaching last, 1 length up flat, driven out
in rear, not fluent, lost touch from 9th, tailed off
held up, close 4th after 9th, disputing 2nd after 3f out briefly, weakened before 2f out
TARSUS, Carrietau and Play With Fire are the trio to look at here with Tarsus having the superior recent form. Carrietau has not scored since landing a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, and as a consequence he has slipped down the weights. He was a decent third last time, but he may not be able to concede 8lbs to the selection. Play With Fire has shown ability in hurdling starts to date and is quickly tried over fences. He is unexposed and if taking to the bigger obstacles he can go well off his low weight. The step up to three miles seemed to suit Tarsus last time, and he won at Chepstow after some good efforts in defeat. The step back to two and a half miles should not hinder him-his earlier runs had been over that distance. Tarsus is only 5lbs higher here and can follow up.
Carrietau 9-2 (11-3) Led to 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Royal Hilarity (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Billy Murphy 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders when ran out 2nd, in a race won by Leopold (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Masterpoint 20-1 (9-12) Always in rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Archimboldo (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct, 10 ran.
Tarsus 4-1fav (10-13) Led from 5th, challenged from 5 out, kept on from last, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Chuquicamata (11-5) by 2l, 17 ran.
Lunar Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, soon well behind and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Oscar Owen (10-6) at Newbury 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb, 16 ran.
Play With Fire 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division until dropped rear 5th, never back on terms, 5th of 11, 40l behind Present Gesture (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
