behind, headway 8th, ridden approaching next, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden and lost place after 7th, soon behind
led to 8th, led again 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
in touch, ridden 9th, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
prominent, led 8th to 9th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Maidstone Monument has his first start over hurdles in over two years and could be interesting off his lightweight but preference is for another runner reverting to the smaller obstacles after a spell chasing Around Before, who gets the verdict over Kippanour. The last mentioned has a 7lb penalty to carry for his success over course and distance last time and may struggle to follow up, while lack of a recent outing may prove to be the undoing of Mark Pitman's Briar and Keltic Heritage, the mount of Jim Culloty. There are no problems on that score for Around Before though who ran well here over fences last month and returns to hurdles for the first time since scoring at Uttoxeter in August. Only 4lbs higher here, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding remains well treated and gets the vote to return to winning ways.
