close up, tracked leader 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, led and hit last, driven and all out
held up in rear, ridden when went moderate 4th 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out
in touch, went 3rd at 6th, effort to press leaders on inside when short of room bend before last, switched right, headway to challenge when hit last, driven and stayed on towards finish
led, hit first, ridden and headed approaching 6th, weakened next
tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, hit next, joined 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden 6th, weakened next
tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakened 3 out
FIRST IN THE QUEUE will surely take all the beating in this as he escapes a penalty for an impressive win in a conditionals' race at Cheltenham last week. The promising Jerry McGrath takes the ride again and he'll be a short price to complete the double. Ittirad was well beaten on his handicap debut at Market Rasen last month but was well backed that day and is probably capable of better. He's preferred to Lightening Rod, All That Remains and Occasionally Yours, who are all returning from a break. Neither Jonnie Skull nor The Bull Hayes make much appeal in this grade.
First In The Queue (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear last, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd beating Canadian Diamond (10-11) by 7l, 12 ran.
Lightening Rod 6-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 3 out, chased leading trio 2 out, strong run under pressure flat, led final 75 yards, hung right in closing stages, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr beating Rhymers Ha' (11-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
All That Remains (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Knight In Purple (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 4th, hit next, soon headed, weakened last, 7th of 12, 29l behind Azure Fly (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Ittirad (USA) 9-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders under pressure before 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 7th of 11, 26l behind Ahyaknowyerself (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
The Bull Hayes (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, prominent, led narrowly before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Don't Be Late (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure approaching last, went 2nd post, no impression with winner, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Saint Roque (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May.
