chased leading pair, went 2nd at 4th, hit 11th, ridden and no chance with winner before 3 out, lost 2nd towards finish
led until mistake and headed 1st, mistake next, lost 2nd place 4th, chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, plugged on and went 2nd towards finish
jumped well, led 1st, made rest, clear before 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
never travelled, always in rear, reminders after 4th and 9th, tailed off 14th
There may only be four runners in this but it still looks a potentially-informative contest. This Is It was tailed off when unseating his rider at Newbury but that was also a decent race and he’ll strip fitter today. Bastien and LOVENORMONEY will also have taken a step forward from their respective reappearances. Alan King’s charge got outpaced when fourth at Huntingdon so this more searching test will suit but the Greatrex runner was having a first run since March at Uttoxeter and may have made the bigger strides. All of his victories have come on soft or heavy ground, including one between the flags. Rio Quinto has the build of a chaser so can’t be ignored.
Bastien (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 13th, no danger after, well held in 4th when mistake 2 out, 4th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Bags Groove (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m (3) gs in Dec.
Lovenormoney (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch until 5th, ridden 9th, slow 11th, well behind after, 12th of 16, dist behind Crucial Role (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Rio Quinto (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Pushed along before 3 out, always towards rear, tailed off, 13th of 14, dist behind Jersey Bean (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
This Is It (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Last pair, behind and struggling before 4 out, tailed off when unseated rider 3 out, at Newbury 2m 7f (1) sft in Dec.
