led to 4th, led 8th, quickened and clear approaching 4 out, eased flat
chased leader, led 4th to 8th, ridden 13th, kept on one pace
held up mid-division, ridden 10th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 13th
held up in touch, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace
prominent, non fluent 5th, ridden 12th and lost touch, kept on one pace from 3 out
held up last, some headway 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out
Conditions here will once again suit Cool Monty, who can defy a 5lb rise and follow up his recent Leicester success, also gained in partnership with Tony McCoy. The selection will again be able to set the pace here under the champion, who will surely be positive on him, and that can prove decisive. He jumps well, and this is his optimum trip, and with the ground also perfect he looks good enough to go in again. Sandown scorer Melford looks likely to provide the stiffest opposition. Trip and ground also suit him, and he has age on his side, but he does need to improve. Luneray put a couple of poor efforts behind her with a better run over c&d last time, though she was still well beaten and is another who needs to find more, while the ground is probably not good enough for Quiet Water, and Giorgio is in the grip of the handicapper. But Cool Monty comes here in form and can follow up.
