held up mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent 8th, mistake next, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, mistake 3rd and 7th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed after 2nd, led again 4 out, ridden clear approaching last, comfortable
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, kept on one pace
held up, headway 9th, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led after 2nd, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened approaching last
mistakes, in rear, reminders 8th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
close up, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out, behind and pulled up before last
Monkerhostin is bound to be popular with backers following his fine second behind Old Vic in last week's Paddy Power Gold Cup but he may find this coming too soon and preference is for Thisthatandtother, who gets the vote ahead of Impek. The last mentioned finally came good when landing a handicap at Aintree last time and has claims on that evidence but has not been the most reliable of performers over the last two years and he may be best watched. El Vaquero showed progressive form for Henrietta Knight last term and makes his debut for the Howard Johnson stable here, while Hand Inn Hand is a classy performer on his day but often finds at least one too good and may do so again. Mister McGoldrick is capable but would need to step up considerably on his Exeter reappearance effort to trouble the judge. Le Roi Miguel has claims on the pick of his form but is not the most reliable of horses and preference is for stablemate Thisthatandtother, who is ultra consistent, has his ideal conditions and trip and, if fit enough for his return, will take plenty of beating.
Le Roi Miguel (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, pushed along 9th, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden and weakened next, 5th of 9, 26l behind Impek (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
Mister McGoldrick 25-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place 6th, no danger after, 6th of 11, 37l behind Monkerhostin (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs.
Thisthatandtother (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 4th, steady headway from 13th, just over 2 lengths 4th 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 32l behind Grey Abbey (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Colca Canyon (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, dropped to moderate 8th and ridden approaching straight, kept on without threatening, 5th of 12, 16l behind Davenport Democrat (9-10) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-140 gs in Oct.
Impek (FR) 4-1 (10-7) Made all, shaken up and went clear approaching last, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct beating My Will (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Monkerhostin (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up, blundered 5th, headway 4 out, stayed on to chase leading pair last, kept on to take 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Our Vic (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs.
El Vaquero (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, in touch 4th, headway after 3 out, challenged and mistake 2 out, not much room last, driven to lead flat, all out, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Feb beating Le Passing (11-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
Hand Inn Hand 11-1 (11-12) Keen, chased leaders, headed 4th, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Sleeping Night (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (B) gd in Apr.
Hot Shots (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Held up and always towards rear, 8th of 11, 49l behind Monkerhostin (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs.
Iris Royal (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and lost place after 12th, rallied and mistake 3 out, went second last, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Our Armageddon (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar '04.
Seebald (GER) 20-1 (11-7) In touch until ridden and dropped to rear 7th, tailed off, 9th of 10, 25l behind Bold Bishop (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (B) gs.
