in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake next, close up 8th, blundered 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, tailed off
tracked front pair, went 2nd after 7th, challenged 5 out, led narrowly next, hit 2 out, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat
led to 7th, chased leaders, outpaced by front pair after 4 out, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out
tracked leader, led 7th, reminders after next, headed narrowly 4 out, switched right after next, soon ridden, stayed on to press winner flat
This could well be a good opportunity for IVOR'S QUEEN to get off the mark after she shaped with some promise on her second start over fences last month. She doesn't look badly handicapped here based on her hurdles mark and should be able to give weight to this consistent Mercian King who looks to be in the grip of the handicapper. Neither The Yank or Flashman are the easiest to deal with and should really only be concerned in a race for the places here.
Ivor's Queen (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Went left 1st and next, chased leading pair, pushed along disputing well held 2nd 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 4, 6 3/4l behind Bagad Bihoue (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gs in Jul.
Mercian King (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 15l behind Daulys Anthem (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
The Yank 11-1 (11-3) Made most, jumped right 3rd, headed soon after 4 out, soon ridden in 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, finished tired, lost remote 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, dist behind Cut The Corner (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Flashman 8-1 (11-13) Chased leader, led 4th until 10th, chased leader, hit 12th and next, soon pushed along, tried to rally before 3 out until idled wandered and lost 2nd before next, tired and went badly left last, weakened badly and eased, 7th of 8, dist behind Iona Days (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
