chased leader, led 8th, ridden and stayed on well flat
in touch, jumped slowly 7th, behind from next, tailed off
in touch until ridden and weakened after 8th, tailed off
led to 8th, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, headway 8th, chased winner and not fluent 3 out, no impression from next
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden 7th, soon beaten
held up, mistake 2nd, ridden and behind from 8th
hit 5th, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leaders, hit 4th, weakened after 3 out
Castanet can follow up in the finale, with Montel Girl, Almnadia and Friendly Request the main dangers. Castanet showed plenty of grit and determination when scoring over the course and distance in June, rallying at the last and out battling Be My Valentine on the run-in. Connections decided to give her a break afterwards, as she is not completely happy on fast ground, but this does not look any harder and so she should just about manage to repeat the feat. Montel Girl looked the likely winner two out when eventually finishing second at Fontwell over two and three-quarter miles in May and can give the selection most to do over a more suitable trip. Almnadia took on better company at Cheltenham in April but has not been out since and returns to the fray shouldering topweight, so has it to do. Friendly Request has slightly more to do than when winning at Worcester but has place claims. However, for the winner, it has to be Castanet.
