prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, not much room 1st, headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, 6 lengths adrift when hit hurdle, driven to close from last, ran on to lead close home
prominent, ridden 3 out, 4th and beaten approaching 2 out, no extra
held up in touch, shaken up 6th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on front pair next
held up, fell 6th
tracked leaders on inside, pulled hard, lost place approaching 6th, behind after 3 out, tailed off
led, clear after 3 out, 6 lengths ahead 2 out, not fluent last, driven flat, headed close home
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway after 3 out, went 4th approaching last, one pace, no impression
held up in rear, jumped slowly 5th, behind next, tailed off
A three-time winner on the Flat in France, MONARCH'S WAY has shown definite promise over hurdles. Apparently versatile as to ground and trip, there seems no reason why the four-year-old won't go close in his first handicap for his promising rookie trainer. Blue Blooded's third at Exeter was his best effort yet but the handicapper has taken no chances with Caroline Keevil's charge, while Wine 'n Dine was beaten off a lower mark at Ffos Las last month. Lajidaal also continues to climb the weights but has been in decent form and looks a better bet then the three-year-old Dr Darcey.
Blue Blooded 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, steady headway after 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, pressed for modest 2nd last, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Swincombe Flame (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
Monarch's Way 4-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, jumped left first, slipped badly on approach to 3rd, recovered well, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance when hit last and slipped on landing, no extra, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Bin End (10-7) at Leicester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Wine 'n Dine 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outer before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 10, 5l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Lajidaal (USA) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, led 4 out, headed after next, soon ridden, gradually weakened, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Marju King (11-6) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Red Rock (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Raced on inside, held up in touch in 6th, headway before 7th, went 2nd soon after 3 out, edged right under pressure and lost 2nd after last, weakened towards finish, 4th of 8, 10l behind Southway Star (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Dr Darcey 20-1 (10-12) Led to after 1st, with leader, outpaced by leading pair 3 out, no impression when lost 3rd next, weakened last, 5th of 8, 23l behind Secret Edge (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) sft.
Cridda Boy 16-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, disputing 3rd before 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 9, 32l behind Southway Star (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
Todareistodo 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, mistake 4th, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind Mister Dillon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Softly Killing Me 33-1 (9-13) Took keen hold, mistake 1st, behind, unseated rider after 3rd, in a race won by Rolanta (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
