in touch, led 2 out, clear last, eased flat
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
started slowly, behind from 2nd
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden 4th, weakened after next
held up and keen, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold, mistakes, always behind
held up, hit 4th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden when not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last
This appears to be a three horse war with Heathcote taken to beat Almavara and Whistle Blowing. Gary Moore's gelding was a decent enough performer on the flat and has really taken to this game. He was successful on his debut at Lingfield before chasing home the French trained Onnix on heavy ground at the same track. He returned to winning ways on better ground last time when beating Ardglass and with condistions in his favour again today he can land his third victory. Almavara made a very pleasing debut when runner up to Trompette at Plumpton and is certain to come on for the run. Meanwhile Whistle Blowing has come uup against some top performers this season and certainly deserves to win a race of this nature. The rest make very little appeal and so despite giving weight away all round, Heathcote should be capable of landing back to back victories.
Heathcote 8-13fav (11-5) Keen hold early, tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, challenged and hung left from next, narrow lead before last, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Ardglass (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Almavara (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Trompette (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Callitquits (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off from halfway, 8th of 14, well behind Temple Place (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Don Pasquale 33-1 (10-12) Keen, led after 1st, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 11, well behind Shingle Street (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Sept.
Suivez Moi (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 20l behind Bureaucrat (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Joey 13-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 12l behind Michaels Dream (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f banded stk (7) pol in Dec (Flat).
Ngauruhoe (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Prominent until weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Victorias Groom (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
