raced alone stands side, overall leader over 1f out, ridden out
behind, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden and outpaced halfway, soon behind
behind, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong to go 2nd near finish
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
behind, ridden 2f out, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
with leaders, effort over 1f out, weakening inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Forces Sweetheart is a battler and can defy a penalty to beat Methaaly, Charles Parnell and Danetime Lord. It is difficult to weigh up the real chance of Methaaly, as Willie Haggas's charge did nothing wrong when making a winning debut at Haydock in June, but a short-head victory over a 50-1 shot hardly makes him a handicap snip here. He could be anything, but we prefer to row in with the gutsy Forces Sweetheart who has chalked up a four-timer in recent weeks. Michael Bell's filly has been galvanised since the fitting of a visor, and a six-pound penalty should be well within her scope. She is drawn in stall 17, and if they come up the stands side, that will help her even more with the rail to help. Nottingham runner-up Charles Parnell is slipping to an attractive mark and should go well along with Danetime Lord who was only beaten a length at Warwick last time. The market should certainly be noted as well in a field of this size, but with plenty going for her, including the going, Forces Sweetheart is our fancy.
Forces Sweetheart 11-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead last strides, won at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) sft beating Word Perfect (9-2) by a hd, 17 ran.
Methaaly (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Haydock 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Rogue (9-3) by a shd, 10 ran.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Raced stand's side, held up, headway approaching final furlong, soon chasing winner, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Wanchai Lad (9-1) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Danetime Lord (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Chased winner, ridden and switched left 2f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Polish Index (9-5) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Making Music 16-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Bahamian Bay (8-6) at Beverley 5f fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Choysia 25-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Passion Fruit (9-7) at Newcastle 7f fll hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Memphis Man 16-1 (9-4) Behind until driven, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 21, 4l behind Elkhorn (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Hotham 15-2 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 3l behind Duke Of Milan (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo app hcp (5) pol in Sept.