soon steadied into rear, hit 12th, challenging 4 out, narrow lead next, driven and headed last, unable to quicken flat
disputing 2nd place, went 2nd approaching 4 out, chased leader 3 out, upsides next, narrow lead last, driven and in command flat
jumped right, led, blundered 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace under pressure from next
French raider Moncadou catches the eye here and gets the vote ahead of Wee Robbie. The selection won his last start in France over hurdles and makes his British debut today. He has the services of top jockey McCoy and whilst he has a 236 day absence to overcome, he could be up to taking this contest. The main danger could come from Nick Gifford's Wee Robbie. The useful hurdler plugged on for third last time out over course and distance, but will need to brush up on his jumping if he is to go in today. In Accord jumped with a lot more fluency when beaten just a length into second by Classified three weeks ago. The form of that race has been franked by the winner going in again since and so he must rate a danger. Pretty Star also ran in that race but was beaten fair and square by In Accord, and although Alan King's stable is in good form at present, he will do well to reverse those placings. For the winner then we return to Moncadou.
In Accord 4-1 (11-0) Held up, left 3rd 3 out, upside winner last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Classified (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs.
Moncadou (FR) 7-2fav (10-7) Prominent, every chance when stumbled last, led flat, won at Auteuil 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 sft in May beating Marie D'anjou (9-12) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Pretty Star (GER) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up, hampered 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Classified (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs.
Wee Robbie 14-1 (11-2) Raced in 4th, mistake 8th, outpaced after 14th, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Boychuk (11-5) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
