held up behind front pair, raced keenly, mistake when a distant 3rd 3 out, well beaten when hit last
raced in second until pressed leader 4th, led next, headed 3 out before quickening to lead again 2 out, hung left but ran on strongly
led, joined 4th and headed next, led again 3 out but headed next, stayed on but no match for winner
held up in rear, raced keenly, slow 4th, pushed after 4 out and beaten, tailed off jumping 3 out
Nassalam was a long way ahead of Elham Valley when runner-up to Adagio in the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow last month. He’s a useful juvenile but may meet his match again here in MONMIRAL (NAP). A very easy winner of a Grade 2 at Doncaster in December, Paul Nicholls’ gelding has yet to taste defeat and can give his stable a hat-trick in this contest as the filly Progressive couldn’t follow up her maiden victory at Doncaster when only fourth in a Listed race there next time.
Elham Valley (FR) 17-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway after 5th, disputing 3rd when pecked and went left 3 out, 4th and no extra next, 4th of 8, 27 1/4l behind Adagio (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Monmiral (FR) 1-2fav (11-3) Led chasing group, close up 4 out, almost upsides travelling strongly 3 out, eased into lead 2 out where mistake, ridden clear before last, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gs in Dec beating Gold Desert (10-12) by 11l, 5 ran.
Nassalam (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Jumped left at times, chased leaders, went 2nd behind clear leader 2nd, closed 5th, led before 3 out, headed approaching last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Adagio (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Progressive 9-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, close up 3 out, soon shaken up and beaten, 4th and no impression after 2 out, 4th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Her Indoors (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f lst fll (1) sft in Jan.
