led at decent pace, narrowly headed 3 out, stayed challenging, driven to slight lead 2 out, kept narrow advantage under strong pressure, in command flat, stayed on well, driven out
chased winner 2nd, hit 7th, led narrowly 3 out, went right mistake and narrowly headed 2 out, stayed upsides, still every chance when went right and hit last, weakened flat
chased winner until 2nd, stayed 3rd until 6th, struggling in 4th from 3 out, tailed off and eased before 2 out
held up in 6th, in rear from 4th, slow next, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
held up in 5th, no chance from 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased eading trio, reminder after 4th, went 3rd 6th, no chance with leading duo soon after, went right 2 out, tailed off
always behind, no chance and lost touch 6th, tailed off next and soon pulled up
Cuckoo Pen showed ability in bumpers and led for a long way until tiring on his hurdling bow over this trip at Newbury though that was back in December 2009 and he hasn't been seen since. NOT TIL MONDAY relished the very testing conditions to lead all the way at Plumpton where he soon had his rivals in trouble. That was a much improved run and the longer trip should hold no terrors. Cresswell Crusader could prove a big threat as he's another who will enjoy the ground. A bumper winner at Chepstow a year ago, he made a decent enough return to action in a Warwick bumper on New Year's Eve and, as he has a stamina-packed pedigree, he could turn out to be useful over timber though he may just need the experience here. Spiritual Art has won four times on the Flat but has never encountered the sort of ground she will face today.
Not Til Monday (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) With leader, led after 6th, jumped left 3 out, soon clear, unextended, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Dusky Bob (11-4) by 10l, 12 ran.
Cresswell Crusader 5-2fav (11-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Shuil Royale (11-0) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Cuckoo Pen 20-1 (10-12) Led, soon clear, jumped left and mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakening when jumped badly left last, 6th of 15, 23l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec '09.
Easter Lad 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until 11f out, soon stuggling, tailed off over 6f out, 8th of 9, well behind Cavite Beta (10-3) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Apr.
Justalittlebitmore (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 40l behind J'adhere (10-9) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Feb '09.
Taylors Secret 33-1 (10-9) Held up disputing 4th, ridden 8f out, weakened over 4f out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Hes Our Lad (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gd in Nov.
Spiritual Art 22-1 (9-1) Steadied start, always in rear, 11th of 12, 19l behind Calatrava Cape (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep (flat).
