led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, disputed lead 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, no impression when not fluent last
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before last
always prominent, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression on winner
chased leaders, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out, drew clear from next, comfortably
Monashee Grey is the one to beat, with Mister Maq, Touch Of Ivory and Iberian Light seen as the main dangers. Richard Fahey has his team in good shape on the Flat at present, and will no doubt be sending out a few winners over jumps this winter as well. Monashee Grey was only rated 36 on the level, but ran quite well on his debut over hurdles at Bangor 12 days ago, chasing home the much more fancied Archimboldo. With that experience to call upon, he should take the beating this afternoon. Mister Maq also hails from a stable that has been firing in the winners on the Flat, and may improve for the switch of codes. Fourth in a Sandown claimer last month, he should go well if taking to the obstacles. Touch Of Ivory won three times on the Flat this summer, but there has to be a slight doubt about him staying, despite having some stamina in his make-up on the dam's side. Iberian Light looks the best of the two Irish raiders but is nothing special, and we return to Monashee Grey as the answer.
Andorran (GER) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon ridden, never on terms, 8th of 15, 11l behind Sa Nau (8-12) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug (Flat).
Carrietau 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, driven over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Inside Story (9-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Iberian Light (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, moderate 4th before 3 out, ridden before next, one pace, 4th of 11, 23l behind Piltown (10-12) at Clonmel 2m 3yo mdn hdl frm.
Listentothemusic (IRE) Distant Music gelding out of Moet.
Minthare (IRE) 17-2 (8-8) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off over 2f out, 9th of 11, 47l behind Incursion (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs (Flat).
Mister Maq 10-1 (8-9) Prominent, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, not quite pace to challenge, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Emily's Place (8-6) at Sandown 1m 3yo clm (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Monashee Grey (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, edged right approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Archimboldo (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Rouge De Beauvoir (FR) (10-1) 2nd of 15, shd behind Amour De Beriez (10-10) at Auteuil 1m 7f clm hdl in Apr.
Touch of Ivory (IRE) 7-2fav (8-4) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway until one pace from over 2f out, 7th of 10, 6l behind Bolton Hall (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug (Flat).
