made most, ridden approaching last, kept on well
held up in rear and keen, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, in 4th approaching 2 out, no extra after last
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, in 4th when hit 2 out, rider lost irons, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, soon in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on
disputed lead until after 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out
SIR FRANK is on a roll and is fancied to see off Society Venue, Classic Contours and Natures Way. Alan Swinbank's gelding has started well over hurdles, only suffering defeat over a longer trip at Hexham. He seems to like good ground, has the size to carry his big weight around, and is expected to fare well once again. Isitcozimcool needs a market check on this return to the national hunt scene for a shrewd outfit although he is untested over hurdles, Rebel Hunter drops in trip but according to his point-to-point form it shouldn't have been the reason for defeat last time out, whilst Society Venue fared much better than Play To Win and Royal Entourage behind the selection last time and with a pull in the weights is rated a very big danger. Classic Contours will be fit from running on the flat at Catterick and although that has been with little success he looks likely to run well with the yard in form, whilst Natures Way wouldn't have to be a world-beater to feature on his debut although he is bred to need more time. Sir Frank gets the vote.
Sir Frank (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Led, driven and headed flat, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Society Venue (10-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Driving Seat 125-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, not fluent 1st, always behind, 11th of 12, well behind Rubipresent (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Isitcozimcool (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Held up, headway 6f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 10, well behind Titus Andronicus (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr '09.
Loyal Knight (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Soon in touch, jumped slowly 4th, not fluent 3 out, not fluent and weakened next, 6th of 8, 23l behind Sir Frank (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Rebel Hunter (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, soon pushed along, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 5, 37l behind E Major (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Society Venue 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, led flat, driven and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Sir Frank (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Classic Contours (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, disputed lead from 1st, led 3 out to after next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure, always held by winner flat, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Beidh Tine Anseo (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Natures Way (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Furry Hope.
Play To Win (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In rear, jumped right 1st, not fluent 3rd, closed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 23l behind Sir Frank (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Royal Entourage 16-1 (10-5) Held up in 5th, jumped slowly and outpaced 5th, rallied approaching 2 out, weakened before last, hung left flat, 4th of 8, 19l behind Sir Frank (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
