made all, clear from 2 out, reminder before mistake last, unchallenged
held up last, hit 1st, progress 8th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression from 2 out
held up 3rd, lost place 4 out, no chance from 3 out
chased winner, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
Nietzsche beat CAIUS MARCIUS more than two lengths at Perth when making his chasing bow but the runner-up is 6lb better off today and is entitled to turn the tables. Innocent Touch is having a first run over fences but won four times over hurdles last year and was still in front when falling at Cheltenham in April when returning from a break. Henry Daly’s charge shouldn’t be underestimated but jumped stickily when third at Cartmel.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Soon tracking leader until 4th, handy 3rd, badly hampered next, led 3 out, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Nietzsche (10-12) at Perth 2m (3) gs in Jun.
Nietzsche 5-1 (10-12) Raced keenly tracking leaders, left in 3rd and badly hampered 5th (water), 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, led and hit last, driven out, won at Perth 2m (3) gs in Jun beating Caius Marcius (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Carntop 5-2 (10-12) Held up in 4th, mistake 6th, tracked front pair before 4 out, outpaced after last, soon ridden, kept on, never able to challenge, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Tonto's Spirit (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Innocent Touch (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, narrow lead when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
