held up mid-division, headway under pressure four out, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, ridden right out
held up in rear, headway four out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace from 2 out
in touch, 4th and ridden when slipped up end after 4 out
tracked leaders, led 10th, ridden and headed last, one pace, flat
tracked leader, led 4th to 6th, lost place 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 6th to 10th, ridden and no impression from 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up, ridden and kept on from 3 out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next
behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
The way that Hero Again needs to be ridden means that he will probably never win by far and that may help him to defy a 5lb rise here for a win over just over a length last time. Tony McCoy's mount can see off Tickateal, Croix de Guerre, Handy Money and Shannon's Pride in a competitive heat. Hero Again was winning at Worcester over 2m 7f when last seen out but this drop in trip should not inconvenience him. He has to be held up for a late charge and does not like to be in front for too long, hence those earlier comments, but with a nice racing weight added to the equation he can probably follow up. Tickateal won a small Sedgefield race over this trip in May and ran with credit at Perth thereafter. His mark is fair and he can again show up. Shannon's Pride has conditions to suit but is probably carrying too much weight right now, and the same applies to Croix de Guerre, while Handy Money would also be better for a slight drop but has been in good form of late and is probably capable of going very close off 128 with going to suit. However, Hero Again is difficult for the handicapper to assess and might just have enough in hand to score here.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th to after 5th, led after 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 5th of 11, 6l behind The Grey Man (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Handy Money 16-1 (10-10) Prominent when unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Iron Man (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul, 14 ran.
Hilltime (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Close up, led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 6th of 17, 4l behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Pressed winner throughout, mistake 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance run-in, no extra, 2nd of 12, nk behind Jericho III (11-2) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Innisfree (10-0) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jul.
Tickateal 10-3 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway 10th, challenged 4 out, ridden to lead before next, headed last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Commercial Express (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jul.
Hero Again (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, led flat, cleverly, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft in Jun beating No Complaint (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
