led, wandered approaching 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, driven before last, weakened flat
settled last, well in touch, smooth headway on inside to challenge 2 out, soon led, driven out flat
held up in 5th, hit 2nd, headway approaching and blundered 2 out, weakened and hit last
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, soon slightly outpaced, rallied under pressure to take 3rd last
tracked leaders, challenged and led briefly 2 out, chased winner after, every chance last, unable to quicken flat
chased leaders, outpaced and hit 3 out, renewed effort and ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Mud Monkey has done well since switched to hurdles and represents the in-form yard of Brendan Powell but he may struggle under his penalties here and a safer wager looks to be Bayonyx, with Approved Force rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed gradual improvement from limited opportunities on the level and Howard Johnson's colt showed promise on his hurdling debut on a soft surface at Hexham last month, form on which he should improve. Hibiki was a capable performer on the level and the Phillip Hobbs-trained colt has to be respected on his first start over hurdles. A market move for another newcomer Gary Moore's Hurricane Thomas would be of interest, although a bigger threat is likely to come from recent Leicester winner Approved Force. Bayonyx looked to be going the right way on the flat though and, with more to come over hurdles, he looks the one to beat.
Mud Monkey 15-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 24l behind Falcon's Fire (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sept.
Approved Force (USA) 11-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, in rear, steady headway from 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Starbougg (10-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
Bayonyx (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, outpaced 2 out, headway under pressure after last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Pagan Starprincess (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Hareem (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, hard ridden and ran on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept beating Vivacita (8-11) by a nk, 11 ran (Flat).
Hibiki (IRE) 10-3 (8-5) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct beating Shimoni (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran (Flat).
Hurricane Thomas (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tonnante (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
