tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd 1f out, hung left and no impression on leaders after
held up towards rear, always behind
held up in rear, last straight, never a factor
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders in 4th, not clear run briefly over 2f out, went 3rd 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, headway to chase leader when not clear run briefly over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway and stayed on one pace final 2f
held up in rear, good headway in centre over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, driven out
always behind
led, dropped field to stand rail in straight, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
always in rear
soon tracked leaders to over 3f out, weakened rapidly
Rio Riva was very disappointing at Ripon last time out with everything in his favour and so is now passed over in favour of Montpelier ahead of Plum Pudding. The selection scored readily when last seen on the all-weather and although back on a higher mark now back on turf, he can win again. He could easily be better than this mark of 87. His maiden win came on ground with some give in and it appears as if this mile trip is his best. Uhoomagoo won this race in 2004 but will hate this ground whilst Future's Dream is better on the all-weather. Plum Pudding bounced back with a win at Newmarket last time out but he tends to save his best runs for that straight course. Given the sharp nature of the track, a low draw is normally favoured . Had he had a better draw, Rain Stops Play, a front-runner could have been of interest. Waterside has winning course form so cannot be ruled out despite not being in the best of form of late, although his seventh last time out at York wasn't a bad effort really. A very competitive handicap, in which we will side with Montpelier as the selection.
Tucker 10-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader until weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 16l behind Book Of Music (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct.
Rio Riva 6-5fav (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 8, 7l behind European Dream (8-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Chased leader, led stands' side group over 2f out, ridden to lead final 75 yards, won at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May beating Goodbye Mr Bond (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Uhoomagoo 20-1 (8-2) Dwelt, always behind, 11th of 13, 6l behind Red Cape (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) In touch, not much room, switched right over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 10th of 28, 10l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Ordnance Row 5-1 (9-4) Held up, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Trafalgar Square (8-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May.
Waterside (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Blythe Knight (8-9) at York 1m lst hcp (1) gs in May.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Raced centre, close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 24th of 28, 32l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Montpellier (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) In touch, headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven clear, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in May beating Unshakable (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Unshakable (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Prominent, lost position 3f out, headway 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Montpellier (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in May.
Spanish Don 33-1 (8-13) Raced stands' side, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and soon hung right, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Plum Pudding (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Future's Dream 14-1 (8-2) Led group on stand's side rail, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 20th of 28, 25l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Zato (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Daaweitza (8-5) at Haydock 1m hcap (3) gf in May.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Switched right to race far side start, tracked leader, overall leader over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Plum Pudding (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
