held up towards rear, headway on bit after 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, pushed clear approaching last, ran on well flat
held up in touch, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off
pulled early and held up last, good headway on bit after 3 out, ridden and found nil approaching 2 out, weakened last
led to 3rd, pushed along 7th, ridden after 3 out, not quicken from 2 out
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, switched left approaching last, not pace of winner flat
Tony McCoy can steer Habitual to victory over Rhetorical, with Saucy Night and Caper having it to do on the evidence so far. Habitual lines up off topweight here on the back of some fair efforts in defeat in Ireland over the past few weeks. A winner over two miles on the Flat at Lingfield for Sir Mark Prescott, the son of Kahyasi has failed to add to that since joining John Quinn, but the step up to today's trip seemed to bring about some improvement at Downpatrick last month as he finished a creditable second, and with A P booked to ride, it should be a profitable trip across for the four-year-old. He makes more appeal than Rhetorical, who to be fair, ran above his station at Fontwell last time. He looks plating class at best though and should be held. Saucy Night will be going back over fences after this pipe-opener so is best watched, and Caper appears well held on form, so the road looks clear for Habitual to register a first win over timber.
Habitual (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 5 out, improved to 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead last, headed last 100yds, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Breffni Flyer (11-13) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hdl gf in Sept.
Lantern Leader (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) In touch until approaching 8th, 12th of 17, 44l behind Mags Two (10-1) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Sept.
Caper 10-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 15, 6l behind Potts of Magic (11-0) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Sept.
Rhetorical 66-1 (9-9) Led after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hard ridden from last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Roman Candle (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Saucy Night 5-4fav (10-2) Led, blundered 13th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Spring Lover (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
