led, headed 2 out, hung left between last 2, soon ridden and kept on same pace under pressure, no chance with winner
towards rear on outside, ridden and short lived effort on wide outside 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure approaching last, no impression
mid-division, hit 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd approaching last, never troubled leading pair
always behind, tailed off 2 out
tracked leaders, led going well 2 out, soon clear, easily
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders
behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer
with leader, lost place after 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, no impression from next
raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division on inside, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, lost place between last 2, weakened last
in rear, raced wide bend after 3rd, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened next
KING'S CHORISTER can cause a minor upset here by accounting for Shopfrontspecialst and Knight Valliant in a weak affair. Sam Twiston-Davies' mount is 2lbs lower than when fourth in a similar race last time and that might just be enough to see him go close at least to winning this. Back in May he finished ahead of Shopfrontspecialst when third over course and distance and is actually better of at the weights, so rates the value. Of course Gordon Elliott's runner is respected with a talented conditional in the plate. This horse took third in a relatively competitive race at Roscommon last time and market support would be significant. Knight Valliant has place claims on recent efforts from similar marks and it's not impossible to expect improvement for the drop in trip. Hawksbury Heights is no better than a plater but this is a plating race in all but name so he can't be ruled out following a fair flat effort last time, Midnite Blews won his sole course and distance start and has been going well enough at Sedgefield while Harcas is another who should have his conditions. In truth several have chances here but King's Chorister makes most appeal each-way.
Front Rank (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led to 1st, chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 9, 18l behind Ardesia (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Guerilla (AUS) 20-1 (10-2) In rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along 3rd, soon detached and struggling, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Harry Flashman (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun, 6 ran.
Lady Rusty (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway on inner approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 29l behind Ardesia (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Tiger King (GER) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders early, behind from halfway, 11th of 13, 27l behind Toshi (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Mar '09.
Lofty Leader (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Towards rear, chased leaders from 3 out, ridden and 5 lengths down in 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Professor Higgins (10-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr '09, 8 ran.
Shopfrontspecialst (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Mid-division, progress halfway, 5th 4 out, 2nd and challenged 3 out, kept on under pressure, no extra after last, 3rd of 17, 4l behind Mr Bones (11-13) at Roscommon 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (6yo+) gf.
Knight Valliant 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, kept on from last, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Can't Remember (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Sea Cove 40-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 33l behind Golden Future (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Harcas (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 5th of 12, 25l behind Fair Spin (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Wellesley 150-1 (10-0) In touch, hit 3rd, weakened from 5th, 7th of 13, 40l behind Riverscape (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Perez (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, hit next, kept on same pace, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 33l behind Dereks (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Hair of The Dog 33-1 (10-2) Led until after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 14, well behind Aggravation (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
King's Chorister 4-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 4th of 13, 28l behind Dereks (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Hawksbury Heights 8-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, 12th 3 out, ridden into moderate 8th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 7th of 18, 17l behind Duroob (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gf in May.
Midnite Blews (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Prominent, went 2nd from 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 14, 21l behind Golden Future (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
