tracked leaders, led after 4th, headed next, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, outpaced halfway
held up, headway to go prominent 3 out, weakened next
in touch, effort 3 out, soon beaten
led to 3rd, led again 5th, ran on strongly from last
in touch, weakened from 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, effort approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
refused to race, took no part
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression from next
in touch and keen, weakened approaching 3 out
Hartigan is going the right way and is the pick ahead of Lucky Duck, Rising Generation and Khairabar to name but three. None of these have been that impressive so far, but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is out to make up for lost time and is chosen to go one better than when second at Newton Abbot on his British debut last month. A winner over hurdles in Ireland for Christy Roche, he has had his problems and was having his first outing since 2001 when ridden by Tony McCoy at Galway in July. He has more scope than most of these and will be a popular selection. Lucky Duck has to give weight away all round but shaped well against Ebinzayd at Kelso in April. If anywhere near fit, he can give the selection most to do. Rising Generation only won a seller here last time, while Irish raider Khairabar was well held by Dabus at Cartmel on his last trip across. Cosmic Case has been in winning form on the Flat this summer so will be fit enough, but is likely to be rusty over the obstacles, and so Hartigan is taken to get recent losses back.
