tracked leader to after 7th, hit 4 out, ridden and headway between last 2, regained 2nd last, stayed on to lead flat, drew clear towards finish
in touch, outpaced 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off from next
held up, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
close up on outside, went 2nd after 7th, joined leader 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish
raced keenly, soon led, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd last, ridden and weakened flat
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off from next
in touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon weakened
NOW THIS IS IT is the percentage call with Heez A Steel and Player worthy of attention. The selection dotted up in a recent maiden at the course having exhibited plenty of promise in bumpers and the bookmakers are likely to have priced up accordingly. Heez A Steel has run on this surface previously though not with major honours. This is probably a pipeopener ahead of a career over the larger obstacles. Player was fifth in a decent handicap hurdle at Perth but we would have liked to have seen more rain ahead of this engagement. Sam Lord looked a thorough rogue when trained by Alan King and it is to be hoped that a change of scenery will equal a change of attitude. Witherspoon was well supported of a recent bumper so must have been showing something noteworthy at home. Noteworthy cost 50 000 guineas and should appreciate this step up in trip as a relation to a number of winning stayers. Not the strongest of affairs but Now This Is It has the right profile to be making an impact.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent when led 2 out, hit next, drew clear from home bend, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Aug beating Rare Coincidence (11-7) by 14l, 7 ran.
Humourous (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, struggling after 6th, plugged on from 2 out, 6th of 11, 29l behind Goldan Jess (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Night Force 11-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 2 lengths down in 2nd and held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Grand Theatre (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Now This Is It (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Held up in touch, led 4th, clear when jumped right 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep beating Balthazar King (11-0) by 14l, 12 ran.
Sam Lord 15-8 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden to lead 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened flat, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Know The Law (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Dauntsey Bay 20-1 (9-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden from next, one pace from last, 4th of 11, 4l behind Breakwater House (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Player (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, 5th of 7, 13l behind Los Nadis (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Just Posh 33-1 (10-5) Held up, hit 4 out, soon lost place, 10th of 13, 34l behind Mr Woods (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Witherspoon (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 16l behind Carters Rest (10-11) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.
