never better than mid-division
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
behind until ridden and stayed on well final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
always towards rear
tracked leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong
held up and behind, headway on inside 2f out, kept on no impression final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on under pressure
mid-division, driven and outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on well inside furlong, nearest finish
led 1f, tracked leader, outpaced when hampered over 2f out, soon weakened
always behind
led after 1f, swerved left and headed over 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, hampered over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right and led 1f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Montara has fair claims and is taken to beat Boppys Dream, Noul, Fit To Fly and Sachsenwalzer to name but a few. Another big field of low-grade contenders is hardly inspiring, but there has to be a winner, and as Montara has won two of his last four starts in this type of company, he has to be on the short-list here. He does tend to go well when fresh though, as both wins came after absences, so it is debatable whether there will be any improvement, although he took part in a better race than this at Ayr last time. Boppys Dream is lightly raced and there was encouragement to be gleaned from her recent Newcastle fourth, while Noul comes from a stable in form so can run well from what is a good draw. Fit To Fly has tumbled down the ratings since scoring off 72 at Southwell last year, and did not run too badly in a big field at Leicester last time. Sachsenwalzer was successful over hurdles at Cartmel last July but failed to catch the eye on his return to the level at Ripon and is hard to get excited about, and for the winner we return to Montara.
Barzak (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Behind, effort when hampered over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 11l behind Knickyknackienoo (8-11) at Warwick 1m app hcp (6) gd.
Tatweer (IRE) 50-1 (9-6) Dwelt, soon pushed along in rear, 6th of 7, 13l behind Turn Around (9-6) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Apr.
Fit To Fly (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 17, 6l behind Michaels Pride (8-7) at Leicester 7f stk (7) sft.
Noul (USA) 7-1 (9-12) Pushed along in rear, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 18, 11l behind Magic Amour (9-7) at Leicester 7f sll (6) gf.
Airedale Lad (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 19, 9l behind Sir Night (9-13) at Beverley 1m 2f stk (7) gf.
Montara (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 18, 13l behind Queen's Echo (9-7) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) sft.
