tracked leader, led 3 out, very easily
led, headed 3 out, mistake next, no chance with winner
prominent in chasing group, pushed along halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression
prominent in chasing group, struggling from halfway
towards rear, out paced halfway
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
It looks very hard to oppose MONTE CAVALLO against this grade of opposition and it would be a major shock if Rebecca Curtis' gelding gets turned over. The seven-year-old was far from disgraced on a recent outing on the Flat at Newbury and has been given a rating of 130 over hurdles having demolished a field at Wincanton in March. He wouldn't realistically have to run up to that level in order to collect. I'm A Gangster makes a quick return to racing having unseated at Southwell, though the market wasn't exactly speaking in his favour on that occasion. Toledo Gold has won once from 14 starts over hurdles and is plenty exposed while the remainder simply don't look good enough on what we have seen so far.
Monte Cavallo (SAF) 1-2fav (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3rd, clear from 3 out, not fluent last 2, hard held, won at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Chance Encounter (11-1) by 26l, 11 ran.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Led, soon clear, blundered 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon headed, lost 2nd after last, no extra, 5th of 10, 10l behind Inoogoo (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May.
I'm A Gangster (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Robbie (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.
Lord Baltimore (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway in 7th before 2 out, 4th 2 out, disputed after 2 out, ridden in close 3rd and no extra last, kept on one pace run-in, 8th of 15, 22l behind Heaney (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn hdl in Jul.
Moonstone Diamond (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Raced in last pair, struggling before 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 25l behind Kellys Brow (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.
Striking Priorite 50-1 (9-8) Dwelt always in rear, last of 13, 14l behind Cut The Cackle (10-6) at Hamilton 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun (flat).