tracked leader, joined leader 5th, led next, clear 4 out, very easily
led to 6th, well behind in 2nd at last, soon quickly weakened
held up, chased clear pair from 7th, chased winner after last, went poor 2nd after last, no impression
always behind, hit 5th, never dangerous
held up in chasing group, no impression from 4 out
chased clear pair, ridden and no impression from 4 out
Monet's Garden is very hard to get away from here, with Iron Man clearly looking best of the rest. The highly-regarded selection, who is a dual Grade 2 winner over hurdles, beat no less a novice than Darkness on his chasing debut and, barring accidents, should get a nice sharpener into himself as the countdown to the Festivals begins. Opponents might suggest that he is better over a longer trip, and they'd be right, be he also has a touch of class which can see him through here. Having finished fourth to Racing Demon at Sandown, Iron Man then won over course and distance over fences, and he looks the most likely beneficiary should things not go to plan for the selection, which is, once again, Monet's Garden.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 2-5fav (11-3) Jumped well, chased leaders, led 5th, clear 4 out, eased towards finish, won at Ayr 2m nov chs (C) sft in Nov beating Darkness (11-9) by 9l, 4 ran.
Iron Man (FR) 4-7fav (10-7) Made all, 7 lengths clear when blundered 2 out, stayed on, eased near finish, easily, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Great As Gold (11-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Been Here Before 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, pushed along from 12th, 6th of 11, 44l behind Rambling Minster (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Delaware Trail 33-1 (11-3) In rear and keen, blundered 8th and next, lost place from 5 out, last of 3, well behind Nadover (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Silver Dagger 50-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, outpaced 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan, 18 ran.
More Flair 100-1 (10-4) In touch, pushed along and headway when mistake 12th, soon ridden and outpaced, 7th of 10, 39l behind New Alco (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
