held up and keen, headway 4th, every chance 2 out, ridden when pecked last, no extra flat
led to 3rd, led again 5th, driven out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
always behind
chased leader to 3rd, mistake 5th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard, tracked leaders, led 3rd to 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
Not a strong race by any stretch of the imagination and the vote goes to Irish Distinction ahead of Peeyoutwo and Travellers Heir. The Tom George-trained gelding rattled up a handicap hat-trick earlier in the year and shaped as though he is still capable of picking up a race of this nature on his latest start when fourth in better grade at Wetherby last week. The son of Distinctly North takes a drop in grade and should prove too strong for mainly disappointing types. Peeyoutwo landed a Stratford novice in September but recent handicap efforts suggest he has plenty of weight at present. Travellers Heir has claims on his Ludlow second in march but hasn't been seen since a poor effort at Huntingdon in May and has plenty to prove on his handicap debut so Irish Distinction should prove to strong on this occasion.
