mid-division, not much room approaching 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway 13th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next
led to 11th, mistake 13th, disputing 2nd and 1 length down when fell 3 out
mid-division, hampered 4th, headway 13th, ridden when slightly hampered 3 out, soon weakened
held up, blundered 10th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
prominent, led 11th, ridden after 3 out, edged right and 1 and 1/2 half lengths clear when fell last
prominent, fell 4th
held up, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never troubled leaders
behind when hampered and unseated rider 4th
in touch, headway and hit 11th, ridden 3 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider last
soon prominent, hit 10th, blundered 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, left 2nd and pecked last, one pace flat
held up, hampered 4th, headway 14th, ridden to chase leader after 3 out, switched left and right after 2 out, left in lead last, driven out
A fascinating renewal can see Monkerhostin make the most of his light weight to score at the expense of Scots Grey, Armaturk and Irish raider Mossy Green. Monkerhostin showed that he has a decent chase prize in him when third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month, and with a 5lb pull, should take care of the runner-up Thisthatandtother. If Richard Johnson can just make a bit more use of him, the seven-year-old, successful in the Coral Cup here in March, can make the most of the fact that he is still very well in compared to his hurdles form. Hobbs also runs Farmer Jack, second in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, but who was well held when falling two out in the Paddy Power. Scots Grey is interesting as he has won first time out for the past three years, and has run well here before, having finished third in last year's Mildmay of Flete. He must be well recovered from his fall in the Topham in April to be taking his chance today. In addition, his trainer Nicky Henderson is looking for a third successive victory in the event, having won it last year with Iris Royal and in 2002 with Fondmort, who will bid to put a disappointing effort in the Paddy Power behind him. Armaturk has topweight to overcome and his stamina may give out in this company, while Massac is pitched in at the deep end. The Irish won this race four years ago with Go Roger Go, and if Mossy Green stays upright, he too can take a hand. In contention when falling in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in March, he has been sweetened up with a confidence-boosting win over hurdles. You cannot preview a big race without mentioning Martin Pipe, and the maestro has entered both Our Vic, who remains potentially the best chaser in the yard, and Redemption who has been switched from Nigel Twiston-Davies. The former has had a slight setback and the latter was a faller in this last year. What a race though, and one in which Monkerhostin gets the vote.
