led to 5th, behind when mistake 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, behind in 3rd and staying on when fell 5 out
chased leader and mistakes, left remote 3rd 5 out, no impression
jumped well, chased leaders, led 5th, clear 4 out, eased towards finish
Monet's Garden has frightened away most of the opposition and should easily account for Darkness. With the Racing Post ten-to-follow competition looming near, many will be hoping that Monet's Garden comes through his first test of the new season unscathed, and in truth, this should be plain sailing. Nicky Richards has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the gelding, winner of six of his ten career starts including a Grade 2 contest at Aintree. Every inch a chaser, he is reckoned to be the best horse housed at Greystoke since One Man, and that is some compliment, so let us hope that he lives up to expectations. With victory today a mere formality so it would seem, the next question is what will be his ultimate target this season. His next two races will tell us a lot, but it should be pointed out that he was beaten on both visits to Cheltenham, so the Festival may not even be on the agenda. That is for the future though, and for now he will take the world of beating, with Darkness needing to jump much better than he did when opening his account over fences at Uttoxeter recently. The other two runners are simply here to make up the numbers, but all credit to connections for at least turning up. It has the look of a one horse race, and that horse is Monet's Garden.
Darkness 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, hit 6th, pecked again 9th, led 10th, ridden when left clear 2 out, hit last, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd in Oct beating Darina's Boy (11-4) by a distance, 9 ran.
Jerom de Vindecy (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Carapuce (12-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (D) hvy in Feb '04, 14 ran.
Kharak (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased winner 3 out to next, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Vandas Choice (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (D) sft in Oct '04.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up, smooth headway approaching 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr beating Mr Ed (11-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
