Calculus hard to beat in Levy Cup

CALCULUS has a tricky five-pound swing on fellow topweight FURTHER AND BEYOND in Sunday's Ian Levy Cup, an impost which could shift the pendulum from the Jamaica Cup to Gary Subratie's derby winner in Sunday's Ian Levy Cup at eight and a half furlongs.

FURTHER AND BEYOND ran down BILLY WHIZZ at almost level weight, 116 and 115lb, respectively, motoring from fifth position at the top of the lane to land the Jamaica Cup at nine and a half furlongs after being caught flat-footed in traffic when the pace quickened a half-mile out.

EROY, carrying 123lb, along with CALCULUS and KING ARTHUR, both at 121lb, were three abreast, chasing BILLY WHIZZ into the lane while FURTHER AND BEYOND took time to get rolling before hitting top stride.

It wasn't until a furlong and a half out that FURTHER AND BEYOND really got going, quickening nicely entering the last furlong to go by the pair of CALCULUS and EROY, before grabbing fellow lightweight BILLY WHIZZ close to the wire.

Renewing rivalry at 126lb, 10lb heavier, breaking from post-position one in what will be a quicker pace from the get-go, FURTHER AND BEYOND's glass chin, a vulnerability to topweight when among the best, could again rear its head as it did at seven furlongs on his last outing when beaten by imported EROY.

Running with an 11lb swing in EROY's favour at seven and a half furlongs, two weeks after the Jamaica Cup, FURTHER AND BEYOND failed to match the American-bred's speed off the home turn, straightening fifth, before producing a late rally to get within three-quarter length at the wire.

EROY returns heavy at eight and a half furlongs, making him suspect going a furlong longer. However, CALCULUS, who has twice conquered FURTHER AND BEYOND when sharing topweight, the St Leger and Jamaica Derby, could again prove to be his Achilles' heel.

CALCULUS won the seven-furlong Gold Cup at the expense of a stirrup-less FURTHER AND BEYOND, a victory which propelled him to 121lb in the Jamaica Cup, allowing his old rival five pounds. Though heavier than FURTHER AND BEYOND in the Jamaica Cup, CALCULUS was second a furlong out, getting rid of KING ARTHUR and EROY.

FURTHER AND BEYOND will be 10lb heavier than his Jamaica Cup victory at 116lb whereas CALCULUS, though sharing topweight, has only picked up five pounds from that race. Subratie's runner should be more comfortable tracking the pace than FURTHER AND BEYOND, who might be forced to make his move too early with the big weight.

In addition, CALCULUS returns fresher, having skipped the seven-and-a-half furlong contest which FURTHER AND BEYOND was pushed into by champion trainer Anthony Nunes, hoping his runner would have picked up the lion's share of the purse to widen his then lead over Jason DaCosta in the trainers' stakes race.

With the handicaps in his favour, a fresher CALCULUS should get first run on the leaders coming off the turn, which will make him hard to beat, especially with FURTHER AND BEYOND not wearing the visor, which had made him a sharper horse earlier this season.