tracked leaders, raced keen early, under pressure 6th, rallied 3 out, soon challenging, weakened next
pulled hard and soon prominent, led after 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 4 out
prominent and pulled hard, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out
led until after 2nd, remained prominent, left in lead 4 out, driven approaching 2 out, ran on well
held up in rear, headway 4 out, kept on well, never nearer
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, lost place 4 out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
HEIR TO BE is the tentative recommendation ahead of Rathrocks Court and Pilgrims Lane. The 10-year-old has been given a break following a below par showing at Market Rasen last time out but he had posted back to back success at Fontwell previously and can get back the winning thread this afternoon. Rathrocks Court appears to relish fast ground and the dual Newton Abbot scorer represents a trainer skilled in taking these contests. Pilgrims Lane stays much further than this and is a very rare Paul Nicholls runner in plating grade. He was well beaten at Worcester in a handicap and connections appear unconcerned about the likelihood of others showing interest in the post race draw. Fletch and Lenny ran a career best in a bumper at Downpatrick and the booking of Tony McCoy certainly catches the eye. Soviet Sceptre and Samurai Warrior are regulars in this grade and while they make an intriguing combination for coincidence forecast backers; they have plenty to do on the racecourse on all recent evidence. Heir To Be is probably a bit better than this grade and if back to his best, will take all the beating.
Heir To Be 4-6fav (11-3) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, outpaced 3 out, ridden and mistake next, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Muntami (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Rathrockscourt (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, led after 3 out, ridden and under pressure 2 out, kept on and held on well towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf beating Gracechurch (11-8) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Fletch And Lenny (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway over 4f out, 3rd under pressure 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Maid From Milan (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gf in Aug.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 14th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, jumped badly right throughout, tailed off, 5th of 8, 44l behind Fairoak Lad (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov stks (4) gf in Aug.
Samurai Warrior 12-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Bolton Hall (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f Ladies sell hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Soviet Sceptre (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Slowly away, took keen hold well in rear, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 12, 11l behind Rathrockscourt (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Quaystone Lady (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up in last pair, ridden and struggling before 3 out, 4th of 7, 39l behind Bugsy's Boy (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Fortification (USA) 20-1 (10-13) Pressed leader, led after 9th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 9l behind Share Option (10-7) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Sonnengold (GER) 3-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 12, 10l behind Rathrockscourt (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Aug.
