in touch in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner next, driven to press winner when hampered last, kept on one pace
jumped right throughout, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, driven out
keen tracked leader until 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up last
led, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on one pace
Stow was in the middle of a winning run when landing this by 23 lengths 12 months ago. But he has 10lb more to carry this time and is still seeking a first victory of the campaign having been collared close home at Leicester last time. He still makes more appeal than another recent Leicester second, Swampfire, but might struggle to give the weight to MURTYS DELIGHT. The latter drops into this grade for the first time and is rated 7lb higher than Occasionally Yours, another eased in class. Montaff wasn't beaten far in a Wetherby claimer over 2m6f on his hurdling debut and also warrants a second look.
Stow 2-1 (11-7) Chased leaders in 4th, with leader 3rd, led 4 out, ridden before last, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Ringa Bay (10-6) at Leicester 2m 4f sell (5) sft in Dec.
Montaff 66-1 (10-13) Towards rear, smooth headway before 3 out, ridden in 3rd before last, one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Harris (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 6f 4yo clm hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Murtys Delight (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) With leader on inside, lost place before 3 out, one pace next, no impression before last, 5th of 14, 13l behind One Cool Boy (10-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Natural High (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (tt) ur 2, in a race won by Quinz (12-0) at Hursley Hambledon 3m ptp gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Close up, ridden 9th, lost place next, 6th of 8, 14l behind Be Bop Boru (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Swampfire (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Chased clear leaders, headway and in touch on outside 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on to take modest 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Boston Blue (11-6) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
