tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied under strong pressure to lead flat, all out
tracked leaders, driven along approach 4 out, hung left from last, ran on
held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, mistake 10th, weakened from 4 out
behind, never going well, ridden 10th, weakened next
tracked leaders, going well and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ran on strongly closing stages
held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, not fluent last, hung right and headed flat, no extra
led at slow pace, headed 4th, chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out
Tommy Spar can make the most of the three-pounds that he receives from Lake Merced, with High Peak and Cumbrian Knight expected to make their presence felt. There should not be too much between the top two based on recent evidence, but the fact that Tommy Spar has already won over the course and distance augurs well for his chance here. Peter Bowen's five-year-old has in fact raced five times here in the past, and there was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from his fencing debut in which he was beaten by Sacrifice. He should have learnt from that and can go one better now. Tony McCoy, on board that day, now switches to the selection's main rival Lake Merced who makes his debut over the bigger obstacles. He seems a progressive sort but his sole win was on softer ground and he will do well to defy topweight. High Peak certainly looked the part when hacking up at Southwell last time but probably did not beat much and has more to do now. Cumbrian Knight has already been successful over fences and has been kept busy on the Flat. Fast ground holds no fears for him and he could be a bit of value, but we shall rely on Tommy Spar.
Lake Merced (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Just In Time (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Aug.
Tommy Spar 3-1fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway 8th, led 11th, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Sacrifice (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Aug.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 15l behind Tonic Du Charmil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in Jul.
Fantastic Champion (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake 4th, ridden when pecked 9th, soon behind, 5th of 7, 37l behind Sweet Diversion (11-2) at Stratford 3m beg chs (D) gf in Apr.
Optimism (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 13, 8l behind Pure Brief (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf in Aug.
Lost In The Snow (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 10th, weakened last, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Sacrifice (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Aug.
High Peak 13-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway to lead approaching 3 out, soon clear, ridden out, won at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Aug beating Old Buddy (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Lost Treasure (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to 4th, soon tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Red Flyer (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
