close up, pushed along halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon pressed, asserted towards finish
dwelt headway to press leader over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
awkwardly away and slow into stride, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, pressed winner until no extra towards finish
dwelt towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
The pair at the head of the weights make most appeal and MONKS STAND is just afforded preference as he's clearly taken to this surface with relish and could still be improving. He is partnered once again by the champion jockey, the combination having scored here last time with something to spare. Angel Palanas has gained both career successes here and ran well enough last time in this grade to indicate he's a player once again. Brockholes is interesting as he's lightly-raced and returned to action after over a year off with a promising third at Newcastle in February. He also ran quite well on his only previous visit here and could shake up the aforementioned pair.
Monks Stand (USA) 5-2fav (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and headway to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Gleaming Sun (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Angel Palanas 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Kommander Kirkup (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Brockholes 12-1 (9-4) In touch in mid-division, headway over 1f out, bumped well inside final furlong, went 3rd last stride, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Big Lachie (9-5) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Bellevarde (IRE) 11-8fav (9-4) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 6 1/4l behind Spirit Of Rosanna (8-10) at Bath 5f hcp fll (5) sft in Oct.
Soldier Blue (FR) 2-1fav (9-5) Prominent, hung right throughout, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly, eased, 6th of 7, dist behind Frankster (9-8) at Pontefract 1m mdn stks (5) sft in Oct.
Coiste Bodhar (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Archimedes (10-2) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.