led, 2 lengths ahead when fell 3 out
held up in 4th, went 3rd 6th, hampered and left 2nd 4 out, hampered and left in clear lead 3 out, lost interest on bend soon after, still 20L ahead when refused 2 out, remounted, 10L down when chased winner,stayed on well flat
with leader, not fluent 9th, still pressing when fell 4 out
Carthy's Cross gets the confident vote in the opener with Stoway and Witness Run rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair sixth behind Pear King last time out, that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and with this faster ground likely to bring about improvement he looks the one to be on. Stoway rates the main danger on his best form but he was pulled up for no apparent reason last time out so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Witness Run is another that could go well as he is well weighted on his best form but all his best efforts have come over a longer trip and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Chain will love the ground but has shown little of late and for the winner we are happy to return to Carthy's Cross.
Cantgeton (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Livingonaknifedge (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 4 out, one pace 3 out, 6th of 9, 20l behind Pearl King (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Chain 33-1 (11-7) Led, headed 2nd, remained prominent, ridden 6th, lost place after next, 7th of 9, well behind Executive Paddy (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Witness Run (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Mid-division until 8th, behind and pulled up before 3 out in race won by Allumee (11-6) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Stoway (FR) 5-6fav (10-10) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, effort after 4 out, weakened after next, pulled up before last in race won by Limited Edition (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
