tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, led 13th, pressed from 2 out, held on gamely flat
tracked leaders until weakened 8th, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
in rear, blundered 3rd, mistake and lost touch 6th, pulled up before 8th (water)
held up in touch, headway to chase winner from 13th, challenged under pressure from 2 out, stayed on flat but always just held
tracked leader, not fluent 8th (water), mistake and lost 2nd at 9th, pulled up before 11th (lame)
raced keenly, led and clear 3rd, mistake 9th, headed 13th, soon driven and no impression leading pair, continued tailed off
Ballycassidy lines up fit and fancied, with Celestial Gold and the reappearing Native Emperor others to consider. Strong Flow was pencilled in here and if turning out after his Hennessey exertions would obviously hold sound claims, but in his likely absence the vote goes to Ballycassidy. Peter Bowen has had a fine season already, thanks mainly to the exploits of Swansea Bay, but Ballycassidy is no back number as shown by his past record. His Aintree victory told us little as Strong Flow came to grief, but the selection was travelling just as well, and who is to say that he would not have prevailed anyway. Richard Johnson knows the horse inside out, having partnered him to seven of his nine career successes, including when he was with Alan King, and will be confident that another visit to the winner's enclosure is on the cards. Former top pointer Celestial Gold got the better of a tremendous battle with Inching Closer up the Towcester hill and is expected to be even better going left-handed according to connections. A tough sort, he will respond well to the McCoy treatment if needed and rates the main danger in our eyes. Native Emperor goes well fresh and looks set for a profitable campaign, so should be followed whatever he does here, but Ballycassidy will do for us.
