prominent, not fluent 1st, 4th when blundered badly 5th (water), lost place, no chance from 9th, tailed off
led until approaching 3rd, chased leader, led again before 4 out, ridden, headed 2 out, hung right, lost 2nd, weakened flat
prominent, weakening when jumped left 6th, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, in command last, pushed out, comfortably
held up well in rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out
held up, headway after 9th, jumped right 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, not trouble winner
MOUNT BENGER was a good claim by connections and he can win again at the main expense of William Bonney and Beharayn. Perhaps one of the biggest positives for the selection is the lack of mental fortitude of his two main rivals. William Bonney is a frustrating horse and only just managed to beat a horse last time that had lost 20 lengths at the start. He is hard to win with and is not one to trust implicitly. Similar comments apply to Beharayn who has ability but he ran out and unseated his jockey last time at Sedgefield and he has refused to race before so he is obviously a sandwich short of a picnic. On the other hand the selection Mount Benger is straightforward and dependable. He acts on any ground and seemed to relish the return to fences last time; he looks worth a bet. Orrezzo is another interesting contender as he drops in grade today. His jockey gets on well with him and although he hasn't won since winning in May almost a year ago, he loves this time of year and hasn't exactly been running poorly in defeat since. Mungo Jerry needs to step up on recent efforts, and is usually at his best in the Summertime, whilst Peak Seasons and Mr Tambourine Man appear to be making up the numbers. A good opportunity for the admirable Mount Benger to win again.
Orrezzo (GER) 28-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th, not fluent 5th (water), not fluent next, lost touch from 7th, went poor 3rd before last, 3rd of 5, 28l behind Deep Purple (11-8) at Hereford 2m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
Mount Benger 4-1 (11-0) Made virtually all, clear 3 out, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 3f beg chase (4) gf in Mar beating Rippling Ring (10-11) by 40l, 6 ran.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Led, headed 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Glimmer of Light (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
William Bonney (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Chased leader until approaching 3rd, remained handy, went 2nd again 9th, led approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, regained lead 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Ludlow 2m beg chase (4) gd in Mar beating Iffy (11-0) by 4l, 4 ran.
Beherayn 5-6fav (10-12) Led until ran out and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Professor Higgins (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gf in Mar, 6 ran.
Mr Tambourine Man (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Prominent, led when not fluent 4th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 13, 26l behind Ton-Chee (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 40-1 (10-5) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 20l behind Or Jaune (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
