led to 6th, outpaced from 3 out
chased leaders, left 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
prominent until lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, outpaced 6th, led 2 out, rider soon dropped whip, stayed on
in rear, headway 6th, challenging in 2nd when quickly pulled up after 3 out
led 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, chased winner 2 out, kept on
chased leaders and mistakes, reminders 5th, lost place from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
Emperor's Monarch gets the confident vote in this handicap hurdle with Thorn of The Rose and Needwood Spirit the others to consider. The selection ran well back in this sphere last time when chasing home Cloudmoor on soft ground at Sedgefield. The slight drop in trip should suit and he is taken to score. Thorn of The Rose was a fair third behind Baffling Secret last time but the step-up in trip might work against him today and he looks worth taking on. Needwood Spirit has been a little disappointing of late but he will relish these ground conditions and he has to be considered in what is quite a moderate contest. Artic Cove is not the most reliable but he does have ability and he could go well at a price, but Emperor's Monarch is in good heart and is taken to land the spoils.
Emperor's Monarch 10-1 (11-0) Led to 6th, chased leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Cloudmor (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Arctic Cove 8-1 (10-12) brought down in race won by Full As A Rocket (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Irish Blessing (USA) 16-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Winds Supreme (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Frankincense (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Chased leader to 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 42l behind Totally Scottish (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f clm hdl (5) hvy in May.
Needwood Spirit 14-1 (11-1) Always behind, 6th of 14, 26l behind Paynestown Lad (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Thorn of The Rose (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Held up, chased leaders 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Baffling Secret (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Shady Merlin (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, weakened 6th, not fluent last, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Eborarry (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Macreater 50-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, effort approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Wally Wonder (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Moon Melody (GER) 40-1 (9-7) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 30l behind River Logic (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
