held up 3rd, went 2nd approaching 1st, led and hit 2nd, increased tempo next, shaken up and stayed on well from last (normal 2 out)
carried head high throughout and keen, led until approaching 2nd, chased winner until approaching 2 out where mistake, soon beaten, hung left and slowed into last, eased
raced keenly, tracked leader until approaching 1st, went 2nd again on outside approaching 2 out (normal 3 out), stayed on same pace from last
MONTE CRISTO should recoup Cheltenham losses with the minimum of fuss. He wasn’t beaten far in the Grade 2 Triumph Trial, despite only finishing fourth. Highway To Success has won over hurdles but is hard to catch right. Cherry Cola won three times on the Flat last year, however, and is an interesting recruit for Sheena West and is preferred to Beaufort, well beaten at Plumpton on his hurdles bow.
Monte Cristo (FR) 10-11fav (11-3) Led, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed last, beaten after, plugged on, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Galahad Quest (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Beaufort (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Raced freely, led and soon clear, blundered badly 4th, came back to the field 5th, headed and weakened rapidly bend before 2 out, tailed off, blundered last, 10th of 13, dist behind Calva D'Auge (11-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Highway To Success (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in last trio, pulled up quickly before 3rd, at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Cherry Cola 8-1 (9-1) Held up last, quick move on inside to lead inside final 3f, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Fantastic Blue (9-6) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
