held up, headway 9th, went 3rd 2 out, weakened flat
held up, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
pressed leader until jumped slowly 8th, soon given reminders, jumped slowly next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led after 9th until not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway when mistake 8th, soon ridden, carried head awkwardly and led from 3 out, hung left and rider dropped whip after last, ridden out
chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish
raced keenly, made most until after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
MONTANA GOLD may have a bit more to offer than Pearl and Sweet As Pye on these terms and is recommended for a small stakes investment in a very ordinary contest. Ruby Valentine is also worth a mention, as she gets on well with today's pilot and is arguably a bit better than her form figures would have you believe. She does, however, possess an almost insignificant strike-rate and isn't one to trust implicitly to give her all in a finish. Sweet As Pye has more scope for improvement than most and, having made steady progress this season, the Alflora mare has to merit respect at this level. As does Pearl, who may have been in need of the run last time out and is expected to strip fitter today. Quite whether she will see out the trip is debatable, though. Therefore, proven stayer Montana Gold makes the most appeal on this occasion. The fact that Tim Vauhgan's charge is still a maiden after 12 previous attempts obviously has to be a concern. However, this is a very weak race and Montana Gold's proven stamina may be the most crucial factor when push comes to shove.
Pearl (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, never nearer, 4th of 16, 6l behind Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, 10th of 16, 37l behind Lucky Pearl (9-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Mansolias (FR) 100-1 (10-9) With winner, mistake 6th, ridden and out paced 2 out, lost place between last 2, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 40l behind Soft Spoken Guy (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Sweet As Pye 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 10l behind Synonymy (10-6) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sep.
Petroglyph 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, struggling 10th, tailed off, 7th of 17, well behind Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd.
Flag Flier 10-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went second after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 22l behind Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 8-1 (10-1) Led until after 2nd, remained prominent, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 14l behind Amazing Valour (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Oct.
Montana Gold (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Watch Out (10-3) at Worcester 3m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
