chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under strong pressure flat
took keen hold, always behind, no chance from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
always prominent, ridden and hung left between last 2, every chance last, no extra near finish
in touch, not fluent 6th, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, lame
raced wide, in rear, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when fell 8th
jumped slowly 1st, tried to refuse and unseated rider 2nd
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, kept on approaching last, never nearer
mid-division, ridden and struggling from 7th
with winner, reminders approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out
An open-looking contest can go the way of Monty's Salvo over the likes of Ballyboley, White Gate and Azkaban Wings, with Riteway Round worth a mention at least. Monty's Salvo was not particularly fancied when returning from a two-year break at Worcester three weeks ago, but put in a pleasing effort to go down by just a neck at the end. As long as that has not taken too much out of him, Nicky Henderson's charge can go one better, with lots more improvement to come. Ballyboley has now finished runner-up six times in eight career starts, but just needs a change of luck to put matters right, and looks sure to be in the shake-up again today, while White Gate also found one too good at Towcester last time, and will be better off when going handicapping. Ex-Irish Azkaban Wings shaped fairly well here last time, but will need to improve again to come out on top, and the trio of Riteway Round, Danbury and Kings Euro have been plying their trade between the flags, so need to step up a gear. All in all, Monty's Salvo has the scope to take this after his promising reappearance.
Azkaban Wings (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden 7th, hit 8th, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Or Sing About (11-5) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Ballyboley (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed soon after, one pace, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Ashwell (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in May.
Danbury (FR) 9-2 (12-0) Held up; stdy hdwy 12; led 2 out; r.o wl, won at Bonvilston 3m ptp gd in May beating Eastwell Violet (11-7) by 7l, 10 ran.
Kings Euro (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) (cp) went 2nd 11; led 15; hdd brief app 2 out; r.o game flat, won at Rhydygwern 3m ptp gf in May beating Iceberge (12-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Monty's Salvo (USA) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 5th and reminders, headway next, led after last, headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Being There (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
White Gate (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) In touch, led, headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, 2nd of 12, 6l behind No Regrets (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Wichenford Willy 66-1 (10-5) In rear, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, 8th of 15, 26l behind Sandymac (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
L'Apprenti Sorcier (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling after 4th, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Being There (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
