chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd 4 out, left in lead 2 out, headed and no extra flat
held up, ridden 7th, struggling next, behind when fell 4 out
led after 2nd, narrow advantage when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up, stayed on approaching last, never nearer
held up, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on
led until after 2nd, chased leader until 4 out, left 2nd and hampered 2 out, soon eased
held up in touch, headway 8th, hampered 5 out, hanging when left 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
slowly away, always behind
mid-division, mistake 1st, jumped slowly to 3rd, struggling 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
Montevideo gets the confident vote here with Deep King and Billie John rating the main dangers. The selection was the best of these over hurdles and the fact that his shrewd connections have pitched him straight into handicap company on his first run in 492 days looks significant. He has conditions to suit and is taken to score if he jumps fluently. Deep King rates the main danger on his latest second behind Knight's Emperor but he continues to rise in the weights without winning and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Billie John is another with place claims on his latest third behind Native Coral but he is seen to good effect when allowed to dominate but that does not look likely with Deep King in the field. Toi Express is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best. Of the remainder Romany Dream is on a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Montevideo.
Toi Express (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Always behind, 6th of 10, 27l behind Hakim (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Aug.
Montevideo 9-2fav (9-7) Towards rear, 13th and headway after 2 out, 9th approaching last, kept on well, 5th of 28, 7l behind dhtrs Kelly's Craft (10-7) & Boleyknowsbest (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr '04.
Deep King (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Took keen hold behind leader, joined leader 6th, led on bit 4 out, ridden 2 out, mistake last, headed flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Knight's Emperor (10-12) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
Billie John (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up and keen, headway to join leader 6th, led approaching 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Native Coral (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Aug.
Joey Tribbiani (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, hard ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 25l behind Hit Royal (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Sept '03.
Jetowa du Bois Hue (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 23l behind Honan (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jun.
Power Unit 10-3fav (11-2) Help up in touch, chased winner after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 15l behind Red Nose Lady (10-9) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Romany Dream 4-1 (10-5) Held up, pushed along 4th, headway last, one pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Wally Wonder (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Aug.
