held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, mistake and headed last, kept on under pressure
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, effort approaching last, kept on one pace
held up in touch, headway 7th, led 2 out, headed approaching last, led again after last, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened between last 2
led, headed 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
always behind
Monolith can gain another course and distance victory over San Peire and Wet Lips, with Tee-Jay not entirely out of it either. Monolith is no confident choice here, but with Liam Berridge able to claim a massive 10lb allowance, he must go close. Len Lungo's six-year-old, a winner on the Flat for Amanda Perrett, gained an easy win here last May and followed up in fine style at Bangor. Unfortunately he paid the penalty by taking a hike up in the weights and failed to add to his tally. Given a rest since November, he should be all the better for his return to action at Carlisle three weeks ago and can go close. San Peire is something of a Sedgefield regular, having won there both over hurdles and more recently on his chase debut. He is only a small horse though and has been confined to the smaller obstacles of late. He can give a good account along with Wet Lips who has been pulled out of many opportunities since joining Richard Guest. A beaten favourite at Wetherby last time, the drop back in trip will suit, but he really does need to hear his hooves rattle. Tee-Jay scored in handicap-company here last March but has gone up in the weights since and needs to come down a few pounds. He is not one to rule out completely though, but Monolith is preferred to small stakes.
