ridden to lead, reluctant and tried to stop and headed stable bend after 6th, driven to lead next, hard driven and headed last, one pace run in
tracked leader, led bend after 6th, headed 7th, stayed tracking leader, not quicken before last, no extra under pressure run in
disputing 3rd when fell 6th
held up in touch, headway to track leaders after 2 out, led narrowly last, headed and wandered under pressure over 1 out, kept on but not pace of winner
took keen hold and held up in rear, headway to track leaders going well bend before last, led over 1 out, quickened clear
held up in touch, effort when mistake 2 out, soon outpaced and beaten
tended to jump left, held up in rear, closing on leaders when pulled up quickly after 2 out
held up, slightly hampered 6th, headway to track leaders after 2 out, every chance last, unable to quicken run in
There is every reason to expect Monkerhostin to get this trip in this company so Phillip Hobbs' charge is fancied to build on a handful of solid efforts in defeat and he is selected over Deano's Beeno and Mon Villez. Whereas it will be interesting to note how Galileo fares and he is one to view with an eye to the future today. Queries can be raised about most of the remainder and Kadara is taken as best of the rest if the ground is riding heavy by the time of the off. However, as nothing can be guaranteed regarding the ground at the overnight stage, Monkerhostin looks to be the best option for a value play here. The seven-year-old ran a blinder behind Geos and Rooster Booster at Newbury earlier in the month and looks worth a try over this trip judging by the way he finished that race. Monkerhostin is unlikely to encounter any rivals with that sort of turn of foot today and he can account for doubtful stayers Mon Villez and Mistanoora if he negotiates a clear round. Deano's Beeno has always got to be respected in races like this and Tony McCoy's mount rates as the biggest threat.
