in touch, ridden after 8th, weakened next
held up, headway 9th, ridden, edged left from 3 out, led last, ran on
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
led to 5th, led again after 8th, ridden, headed after 9th, weakening when mistake 3 out
prominent, ridden to lead after 9th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
in touch, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
mistake 3rd, blundered 4th, always towards rear
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, headway 9th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed, mistake last, soon beaten
keen, mid-division, mistake 7th, headway next, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, soon headed, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden, lost place 8th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
prominent, pulled hard, led 5th to after 8th, weakened after next
behind, ridden after 9th, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous
always behind
held up, keen, headway 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
Montevideo is the pick in an open finale in which Rebelle, Wayward Melody, Snob Wells and Shining Joy are just a few more that catch the eye. It is safe to say that Montevideo has not lived up to expectations since moving from John Oxx to Jonjo O'Neill, and no doubt his attentions will again be turned to chasing when his confidence returns. However, there is every reason to believe that his turn is near judged by the way that he stayed on behind the in-form Present Oriented at Market Rasen last month. The extra distance and the fact that Wayne Jones can take a massive 10lb off the six-year-old's back is very much in his favour, and a win for Present Oriented in the 3:30pm will further highlight his chance here. Peter Bowen sent out the winner of this race 12 months ago, so despite returning from a break, Rebelle should not be left out of calculations either. Wayward Melody looked an out-and-out stayer when scoring over 27 furlongs at Newton Abbot, but at least his stamina is not in doubt, while Snob Wells only won a seller at Huntingdon so has more to do. Shining Joy is going the right way and might sneak into a place, but it is about time that Montevideo came good, and we shall give him another chance.
Montevideo 11-4jt-fav (10-13) Held up and keen, smooth headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, led and hit last, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Present Oriented (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Aug.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden and headway after 7th, one pace approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Able King (12-0) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Flying Trix (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, ridden 17th brought down 4 out in race won by Florida Dream (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Snob Wells (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 4 out, led next, ridden out, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (5) gf in Aug beating Who Cares Wins (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tickateal 9-1 (11-10) Held up, always behind, 10th of 12, well behind High Country (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Little Task 11-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 10, 28l behind Gabor (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Aug.
Shining Joy (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on but no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Goodnight Tom (11-0) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Wayward Melody 4-1 (9-12) Led after 1st, headed approching 2 out, rallied and led approaching last, driven out, won at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Aug beating High Gear (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.