Waiting game is almost over

CHELTENHAM FESTIVALPaul Carberry will leave it as late as possible to challenge with the enigmatic Harchibald

ANY HARCHIBALD fans concerned that their hearts veered towards flat-line territory three years ago in a never-to-be-forgotten Champion Hurdle finish might be advised to look away come 3.20pm today - Paul Carberry plans to leave his challenge even later this time.

Carberry copped a lot of flak in 2005 by asking his enigmatic partner for maximum effort only 100 yards from the line. As is his wont, Harchibald went from swaggering certainty to punctured desperation in a matter of strides and Hardy Eustace got back to beat him. At the time the criticism appeared to wash over Carberry like water off a duck's back. The extent to how easily it flowed will become obvious today.

Naturally enough it was the finish that concentrated minds on that occasion but Harchibald's jockey is convinced the real problems started before that. And they started because "Harchie" is almost too good at what he does best. "He's actually not the quickest horse. Jazz Messenger for instance is faster than him. But he isn't half as quick over the hurdles," Carberry declares.

"Harchibald is a terrific jumper and the problem in the last Champion Hurdle was that he jumped the second last too well. I got there sooner than I wanted. Once that happened there wasn't a whole lot more I could do."

All of which leaves the former champion jockey with a somewhat difficult task going out into today's race, a task that won't be helped by more rain that may soften the ground even further.

"I would like to be sitting off the leaders by a couple of lengths at the last, get a lead all the way up the run-in and leave it as late as possible. It's not an easy plan but we have to try it," he concludes with the casual air of a man considering whether or not to go for a walk in the park.

It's typical Carberry. For many he remains the greatest natural talent on a horse that any of us have seen. Instead of forcing him into sweaty anxiety, the prospect of timing it right to the last mili-second on his enigmatic partner is something he relishes. The idea of getting it wrong probably hasn't entered his head.

But the balancing act of timing these stalking jobs correctly is enough to test any jockey. Get it right and there is no more thrilling sight in the game. Get it wrong and the flak can make sitting in a Lancaster over Berlin on a clear night seem a comfortable perch.

Lester Piggott famously performed a miracle in securing a Derby for Sir Ivor by leaving his challenge so late it looked like he'd parachuted into the race.

Carberry is unlikely to be fazed and anxious introspection has never been his thing. Especially not when there are so many positives to concentrate on.

A warm-up victory on the all-weather at Dundalk 11 days ago was probably the best ever performance Harchibald has put up on the flat and Carberry believes that is no coincidence.

"I think he's better than ever this season. He felt like it to me at Newcastle in the Fighting Fifth and he just wasn't right at Kempton over Christmas. He feels super right now, more mature," he argues, before dismissing the critics who are queuing up to poo-poo Harchibald's chances today.

"He has got a lot of stick but he is what he is. He's a horse who travels on the bridle and tries without having to be asked. There just isn't a whole pile left when you do ask him," Carberry says.

Ironically he feels the horse that could be his greatest danger today may also be his biggest help. If Osana goes out in front at a frantic pace, there will be at least one very happy rival travelling easily in his slipstream.

"I know David Pipe is a real fan of his horse and I would see him as more of a danger than Sizing Europe or Sublimity. But he could set the race up for me if he leads at a really fast pace," Carberry argues.

If the ideal happens and Osana leads the Irish star over the last, then Carberry's famous confidence will be put to the ultimate test. Will he sit and go - or just sit even longer? It's long odds on about the jockey's nerve holding out longer than most of us watching on.