led until 4th, not fluent 9th, pushed along before 10th, driven and lost 2nd after 3 out, went 2nd again last, no impression on winner
jumped well, with leader, led 4th, in command last, stayed on well
chased leaders on inside, ridden after 4 out, beaten from next, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 8th, mistake 4 out, good headway on outside 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd last
NonRunner
Opening Bid completed a hat-trick at Stratford early in July but his latest run there suggests he’s been reeled in by the handicapper. It’s interesting that Astroman makes his chasing debut in a handicap but we’ll stick with INVESTMENT MANAGER, who has returned to form with a vengeance and goes especially well around here. Frankie Faulkner has scope but never threatened on his chasing bow at Fontwell.
Investment Manager 4-1 (11-12) Led until headed 2nd, led briefly before next, led again home turn, pushed along and went readily clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Bagheera Ginge (12-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
Opening Bid 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 8th, closed 10th, not fluent 3 out, soon lost place, 5th of 7, 23 3/4l behind Gold Link (11-7) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Astroman 5-1 (11-2) Led until after 1st, pressed leader, led again after 3rd until after 5th, in front again next, headed 2 out, chased winner until run-in, no extra and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Jersey Lady (11-7) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Frankie Faulkner (IRE) 3-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, drifted towards rear from 3rd, hampered 11th, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd and plugged on from 3 out but no impression, 3rd of 6, 13 1/2l behind King Of The Story (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Shot Tower (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up in last, outpaced before 3 out, ridden and kept on well after 2 out, went second final strides, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Valentino Dancer (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.