tracked leader until short of room 3 out, soon ridden, faded flat
close up, pushed along 10th, headway 3 out, led soon after, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, blundered 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
close up, plundered 6th, headway 3 out, jumped right and pressed leader next, ridden to lead last, ran on
led until ridden and headed soon after 3 out, soon beaten
in rear off the pace, headway 3 out, pressed leading pair next, kept on same pace
Valadom steps up a grade under a penalty after making all at Worcester last week. The grey is capable of better but is up against better horses today. Faustina Pius is also raised in class as she bids for a hat-trick, though her latest success at Stratford has been franked. WITNESS IN COURT has been getting closer and it could be his turn again today, though Lost Legend and Open Hearted are capable on their day and could bounce back to form at any time. Carrigmorna King made no impression in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen in July and has been rested again since but is back in the right grade today.
Carrigmorna King (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 7th, ridden and struggling next, well beaten 4 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Brave Spartacus (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Open Hearted 5-1fav (11-11) Behind, struggling 11th, lost touch when pulled up before 14th, at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Witness In Court (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, 2nd after 2 out, 2 lengths down last, eased when held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Al Alfa (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Lost Legend (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, towards rear 9th, struggling 11th, no danger after, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Standing Ovation (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Aug.
Valadom (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Made all, went clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Ladfromhighworth (11-12) by 11l, 9 ran.
Faustina Pius (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up behind, headway 12th, not fluent when led 3 out, drew clear on bit before last, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating West End (11-11) by 8l, 11 ran.