held up last, headway 8th, ridden to challenge last, switched right flat, not quicken
chased leader, joined leader 4th, ridden and lost place 6th, mistake 9th, behind
prominent, led 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance
led to 4th, soon ridden and lost touch, tailed off
held up, headway 6th, chased leader 7th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, soon in command, driven out flat
Carthys Cross has obvious claims against the Moore pair Tavalu and Earlsfield Raider, and will be hard to beat. Carthys Cross already has plenty of experience over fences, and has been runner-up on each of his last two starts, including here last month when mugged on the line by Dusky Warbler. In truth it appeared as though Tom George's charge had decided to down tools despite the urgings of Tony McCoy, so at least the champion will know what to expect. The main danger could be Tavalu, a fair second on his chase debut at Towcester six-days ago. He will find this track less testing, and makes more appeal than stablemate Earlsfield Raider who has a long absence to overcome. Nothing else appeals too much, and with the strength of A P to call on, this is best left to Carthys Cross.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, going well when left in lead 3 out, hard driven flat, caught final strides, 2nd of 10, nk behind Dusky Warbler (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in May.
Indigo Sky (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leader, ridden 8th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Brown Fox (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Slaney Eagle (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 10th, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Genghis (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (4) gf, 16 ran.
Supercilious (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader to 7th, soon lost place, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bagan (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in May, 7 ran.
Tavalu (USA) 5-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 8th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Ronald Jack (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd.
Be Positive 8-1 (11-9) Blundered 1st and 2nd, always in rear, 9th of 15, 31l behind Beehawk (11-6) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Earlsfield Raider 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Ballycassidy (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Jun '05.
