made all, ridden 2 out, kept on well from last
held up mid-division, outpaced from 7th
held up and keen, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, one pace from last
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out
in rear, mistake 3rd, lost place from 7th tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
Lake Merced does not appear too badly treated and can beat the likes of Sovereign State, Speed Kris and Manoubi in the finale. It is difficult to know what to make of Lake Merced really as he was on and off the bridle when opening his account at Stratford in July, but it may just have been that he took time to acclimatise completely since coming from Ireland. With that in mind, Jonjo O'Neill's charge may not be badly treated for his handicap bow, and with Graham Lee in the saddle, it can pay to support the five-year-old again. Sovereign State nearly managed to get his head in front on the Flat at Musselburgh in July, but he went down in a photo with Tony Hamilton dropping his whip in the process. David Thompson's inmate was a one-paced second over hurdles at Market Rasen subsequently, and has to give plenty of weight to the selection here, but nevertheless has been a grand servant to connections and can go well again. Speed Kris has yet to open his account for Sue Bradburne but has gone well here in the past, and Manoubi is on a career high mark at present. Although tackling mainly older opponents here, Lake Merced may well be up to the task.
Just In Time 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 12, 32l behind Indy Mood (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Jan.
Sovereign State (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 3 out, led briefly before next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 19l behind Beaugency (9-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jul.
Gone Too Far 16-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, same pace from next, no impression, 5th of 18, 5l behind Buena Vista (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jul.
Speed Kris (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 2 out, effort and chance last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Bob's Gone (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Manoubi 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Cannon Fire (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Jul.
Time To Roam (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, 12th of 15, well behind Muckle Flugga (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Apr.
Lake Merced (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hit last, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (D) gs in Jul beating Earls Rock (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Brave Effect (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Hit 1st, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 22l behind King Eider (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (E) gf.
