mistakes, always in rear
close up, ridden 7th, weakened 11th
held up intouch, progress to 2nd at 5th, joined leader 3 out, led and edged right flat
tracked leader until 5th, chased leading pair, ridden 12th, stayed on flat
led, blundered and joined 3 out, narrow advantage when pecked on landing after last soon headed, stayed on
PILGRIMS LANE is not the most original of choices but a repeat of his Stratford run may be enough to seal victory here; Heathcote and Quarrymount are the most obvious dangers. Milton Harris' gelding was given a good ride by the excellent young conditional Jimmy Derham last time out and he retains the ride today. The ground is massively in his favour and he is fancied to take a bit of beating despite his higher mark. Cool Roxy is a course legend and he has been in fair form this year without setting the world alight. It can't be long before he gets his extended leave and a life in the fields but he will give his all as ever, Dead Or Alive is a potential improver but his efforts over fences have not been great, whilst Heathcote drops in grade and may appreciate this quicker ground and easier company. Commemoration Day ran fairly well on the flat at Goodwood earlier in the month and is considered off a workable mark of 124, whilst Quarrymount will go close if repeating his second to Petroupetrov at Kempton but his profile is too inconsistent. Course winner Peak Seasons is considered despite being massively out of the weights given his trainer's propensity to spring a Fakenham surprise, however the solid call is to side with Pilgrims Lane.
Heathcote 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden before 10th, well behind after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Apr, 10 ran.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, one pace from 3 out, not fluent last, soon weakened, 11th of 27, 41l behind Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f list hcp ch (1) gs in Apr.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in last, behind from 3rd, 4th of 6, 46l behind Picaroon (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Cool Roxy 14-1 (10-6) Led until narrowly headed 11th, chased leader until 14th, weakened 3 out, well beaten 6th when hit 2 out, 6th of 7, 13l behind Briery Fox (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Apr.
Quarrymount 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 9th, mistake and headed next, stayed challenging, blundered 12th, hit next, left in lead 3 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Petroupetrov (11-2) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, not clear run and switched right after 2 out, challenged last, not much room flat, led towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Norborne Bandit (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Behind when jumped big and rider lost iron 3rd, in touch next, lost place when mistake 8th, headway to chase winner after 3 out, stayed under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Mattaking (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
