close up, driven to challenge on outside after 2 out, one pace approaching last
never going well in rear, driven after 3rd, tailed off 5th
held up, headway to chase leaders 5th, weakened between last 2
made most to 4 out, stayed prominent, ridden and outpaced approaching last, rallied under pressure flat to take 2nd final strides but no chance with winner
in touch until weakened 5th
tracked leaders, hit 4 out, led 3 out, clear 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, soon no chance with winner and lost 2nd final strides
in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened and behind next, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
in rear, stayed on approaching last, never reached leaders
settled in mid-division, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon tracked leader going well, led approaching last, ridden clear flat
in touch, behind from 4th, tailed off
chased leader, hit 2nd, ridden to lead narrowly 4 out, headed next and soon weakened
not jump well, in touch until weakened approaching 4 out
Frontier comes into this race in fine form and can complete the hat-trick at the main expense of Flame Phoenix and Tigers Lair. The selection dotted up in his qualifier for this final at Newton Abbot in July and was then put away for a break until reappearing and being driven out to see off Dawton at Bangor in October. He will be better for that run here and with any improvement he should take plenty of beating. Flame Phoenix has also been in good nick of late, winning four from six since May and running consistently to a decent level of form during that time. He is sure to stick on up the hill when others have cried enough and can give the selection most to do. Jonjo O'Neill continues to churn out the winners from Jackdaws Castle and he is represented here by Tigers Lair, who drops back in trip after contesting a staying race last time. That should not inconvenience him and we anticipate another decent performance, though he does have a bit to find with the other pair. There are others in the line up who are capable but exposed and we take Frontier to land this decent prize.
