led to 14th, chased leaders until weakened 4 out, beaten when hit 2 out
mistake, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off from 4 out
towards rear, headway 11th, hit 13th, chased leaders 5 out, weakened from 3 out
always prominent, led 14th to 4 out, led again approaching 2 out, ridden clear between last 2, easily
behind from halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 15th, outpaced when blundered 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd between last 2, no chance with winner
behind from halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always behind, weakened and pulled up before 14th
chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 17th
soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway and in touch 10th, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
If he runs anything like his true level of ability here, then Monty's Quest can take this contest, with Geordies Express, Mr Mahdlo and Lucky Master the ones to chase him home. The selection has plenty of novice and handicap chase form in the locker that suggests he is up to the task here, including when thrashing his field on decent ground at Perth last June. He stays and jumps well, and provided he is straight enough he can win first time out this year. Geordies Express could be the one to capitalise if there are any chinks in the selection's armour. All three of his hunter chase successes have come over 3m 1f at Kelso, but he has been placed twice here. He can make the odd mistake, as he did when last seen at Cartmel last summer, but with a clear round he can go well. Mr Mahdlo has plenty to find with both of the others, but he is at least a course and distance winner and he does plug on gamely. He can make the frame, though Lucky Master is another who saves his best for here and can also fight out the minors. But Monty's Quest is the class horse in this contest and he should be too good for these.
Geordies Express 6-4fav won at Corbridge 3m 5f ptp gd beating Knockholt by 4l, 6 ran.
Lucky Master (IRE) 5-2 2nd of 5, 10l behind Killerine at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Monty's Quest (IRE) 4-1 Mid-division, ridden 12th, weakened 14th, 7th of 9, 33l behind Klondike Charger at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jul.
Mr Mahdlo 9-4 2nd of 11, 6l behind Mister Friday at Charm Park 3m ptp gd.
Who Dares Wins 33-1 Chased leader, losing place when hit 10th, soon struggling, 9th of 17, well behind Sleeping Night at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
Involved (IRE) 5-2 Tracked leaders, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, driven to lead run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft beating Highland Brig by 3l, 8 ran.
Joe di Capo (IRE) 10-1 4th of 9, 15l behind Rip Kirby at Corbridge 3m 5f ptp gd.
Primitive Rites 25-1 In touch when unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Tremallt at Chepstow 3m 2f hts chs (H) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
