held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, close 2nd 2 out, every chance last, 3rd and held towards finish
mid-division, went 4th but still plenty to do 2 out, closed when switched left and went 3rd last, stayed on, led towards finish, won going away
tracked leader until 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, lost place after 3 out
led, headed before 2 out, 4th and beaten last
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led before 2 out, hard pressed, drifted left last, rider dropped rein flat, headed and hanging left towards finish
mid-division, headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold early, jumped left 3rd, awkward 5th, never involved
held up in rear, took keen hold early, headway on outside after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
The returning Bonne Question is one of only two Venetia Williams’ runners here today so a market check is advised. Gran Maestro beat a subsequent winner at Wetherby last month having just lost out against an other in-form rivals at Doncaster the time before. He’s still well treated on past efforts but the form of MONFASS (NAP) also stands up to scrutiny. He ran well in a Class 2 event at Kelso last time having beaten a subsequent winner earlier at Carlisle and Lorcan Murtagh takes off a valuable 5lb again. Red Ochre had Reverant Cust behind when third at Sedgefield while Hit And Run remains in good form, though is still climbing the weights. Motion To Strike hasn’t raced since second at Perth in August and remains winless under Rules.
Monfass (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 2 out, challenged and hit 2 out, every chance last, driven and one pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mirsaale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Reverant Cust (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) In rear, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Black Art (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Bonne Question (FR) 3-10fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, ridden before last, very easily, won at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in May beating Winning Ticket (11-0) by 18l, 8 ran.
Gran Maestro (USA) 9-2 (11-12) Close up, led 3rd, pressed and ridden after last, held on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Walsingham Grange (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Crazed Moon (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 35 3/4l behind Woolstone One (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Hit And Run (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 2 out, in 3rd place before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Steel City (11-3) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Red Ochre 18-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Black Art (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Adherence 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 4th, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Blottos (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Motion To Strike (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inside from 2 out, kept on under pressure into never nearer 2nd last strides, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Firstymini (10-8) at Perth 2m hcp (5) gs in Aug.
