always in rear
led, headed after 1f, stayed prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra
mid-division, steady headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, all out to lead line
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, chased leaders 4f out, soon weakened
led after 1f, ridden over 3f out, challenged 1f out, headed line
in touch, lost place, dropped over 6f out, eased when beaten final 2f
towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, soon one pace
Course and distance winners Desert Island Disc, Mexican Pete and Ocean Avenue plus Sir Monty form the short list here, and we take Sir Monty to score. True enough, he has not yet won first time out, but Amanda Perrett's gelding should not be found wanting for fitness, and he has stamina in abundance. He handles fast ground well, the trip will pose no problems and his level of form looks good enough to take the prize. If rustiness does hamper him then Ocean Avenue may take advantage. He is 6lb below his last winning mark and so has been given a chance, but perhaps his mark reflect his ability these days. Mexican Pete also relishes conditions and trip but looks a bit too high in the weights, while Desert Island Disc looks a better option at just 1lb higher than his last win and with conditions to suit, but Sir Monty takes the eye here and is given the vote.
Stolen Hours (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 5l behind dhtrs Blue Bajan (9-4) & Finalmente (9-11) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Ocean Avenue (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Led until headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 10l behind Mudawin (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Sir Monty (USA) 4-1fav (11-5) Soon tracked leader, led 6f out, hard pressed from 2f out, held on gamely under pressure, won at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Spanish Ridge (11-7) by a shd, 16 ran.
Mexican Pete 11-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Stargazer Jim (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Desert Island Disc 7-1 (8-10) In touch, headway on inside over 3f out, led soon after, headed over 1f out, faded, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Sabbiosa (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f fll hcp (4) sft in May.
Velvet Waters 10-1 (9-4) Soon led, hard pressed, kept on from 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Olimpo (9-11) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Love Angel (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Soon tracking leader, led 3f out, headed 3f out and weakened, 6th of 8, 10l behind Olimpo (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Cash On (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, one pace, 6th of 7, 11l behind Croon (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
