tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
made all, ridden 2f out, soon drew clear, eased inside final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
Just the four runners go to post here and this really should be no more than a match between Mister Monet and Always First, with the vote going to the latter. Mister Monet ran a fine race, after a year off, at Newmarket last week when beating all bar the unexposed Kehaar in a 16-runner handicap. A reproduction of that effort may well suffice but there is a concern that Mark Johnston's colt may bounce so preference is for Always First. Sir Michael Stoute's colt won on his only start as a juvenile when landing a conditions race at Sandown in August. A reappearance effort at Windsor last month when behind Johnston's Gateman was admittedly disappointing but the son of Barathea must be better than that and, with the slightly softer surface here likely to suit, he looks worth a bet. Banana Grove makes limited appeal first time up, while Graceful Air seems likely to be outclassed in a race that is taken to go to Always First.
