held up, headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear before last, comfortably
led, clear to 7th, headed 4 out, disputing 3rd and weakening when mistake last
chased leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
There may only be four runners in this but the quartet look closely matched. I'dliketheoption was back to his best at Worcester and is still on a winning mark. TIKKINTHEBOX turned in a shocker here in June but was back on song over track and trip last time. An 8lb rise is a concern but he likes sharp tracks and might be a better bet than another course and distance winner King's Reste, though the latter will appreciate a switch back to fences having failed to land the odds over hurdles last time. Royal Plaza changed stables after winning a seller over hurdles at Stratford last month and was beaten off this mark at that track earlier.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up, not fluent 6th, headway before 2 out, went 2nd last, led flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Croco Bay (11-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Royal Plaza 1-2fav (11-0) Chased leader, led after 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Aug beating Let's Sway (10-12) by 12l, 5 ran.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Made all, jumped slightly right 1st and next, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Rebel Yeats (12-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
King's Reste (IRE) 8-13fav (10-10) Tracked leader, led before 5 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Blackdown Hills (11-3) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Aug.
