held up in touch, driven and outpaced approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
with leaders on outside, effort when pecked badly and lost place 4 out, 4 lengths 4th and one pace when fell next
led or disputed lead, went on before 4 out, ridden and hard pressed between last 2, headed flat, kept on
led or disputed lead until driven and lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off next, took 3rd near finish, no chance with front pair
held up in touch, mistake 1st, chased leaders under pressure approaching 4 out, left clear 3rd next, switched left 2 out, ridden and tired quickly between last 2, lost 3rd near finish
held up in touch on outside, headway to go 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon upsides, led flat, driven out
tracked leaders on inside, mistake 1st, weakened after 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
Despite a positive ride, Topless was again easily outpointed at Ffos Las last month and is thoroughly exposed - the mare is probably worth taking on again here. Canal Bank won at Chepstow in October but ran poorly off his new mark at Carlisle next time while Solitary Palm was an early casualty at Ascot last time in a race in which Alteranthela finished tailed off. Noble Aran has hinted at ability but lacks a recent run so the choice is MONN ROYAL, who wasn't unduly punished on his debut over fences at Hereford and is sure to strip fitter here.
Monn Royal (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, hit next, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Inside Dealer (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Teddy's Reflection (11-9) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Topless (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Made most until headed 12th, ridden to lead again 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Prescelli (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f mares hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Alteranthela (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Always behind, hampered 10th and 12th, never on terms, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Teddy's Reflection (11-9) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Noble Aran (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 10th of 17, 48l behind Master Eddy (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Canal Bank (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 27l behind Overquest (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Elton 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 31l behind Coq Hardi (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Apr '09.
Jack The Soldier (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened before 7th, 6th of 7, 38l behind Amirico (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
