always in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off
raced wide towards rearm weakened before 3 out, behind and eased before next
chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, outpaced before next
chased leaders, went 2nd and not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd after 4th, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd again before 2 out, every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, 3rd and one pace flat pace flat
led and set good pace, joined 2 out, ridden and headed before last, went left last and stayed on same pace flat
held up in last trio, not fluent 4th, smooth headway on inside before 2 out, quickened to lead approaching last where not fluent, soon clear
held up in 6th, ridden and struggling after 3 out, never on terms
chased leader until before 2nd, went 2nd again after 4th, ridden and weakened well before 2 out
took keen hold, not always fluent, in touch, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out
Plenty of in-form sorts to assess but if SMALIB MONTERG can maintain the improvement found since moving to the Newland yard, then he could well be the one. At home on all surfaces, he ran his best race to date a week ago at Stratford when runner-up in competitive summer handicap company and comes here off an unchanged mark. Mavalenta is consistent but may find this rather sharp and Romeo Americo, a comfortable winner here last time looks the main danger. He should be able to take an 8lb rise for two June successes in his stride and handles forecast conditions well. Petito and George Woolf also demand consideration in a decent handicap.
Vertige Dore (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Raced wide, held up in last pair, struggling 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Decoy (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Romeo Americo (IRE) 3-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, held up last, went 3rd 3 out, rider steered wide course on long run to 2 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jun beating Red Hot Poker (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Mavalenta (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader until after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance last, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Wilde Ruby (11-9) at Worcester 2m 7f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
George Woolf 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Royal Riviera (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Dantari (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Led until approaching 2nd, stayed handy, ridden and lost place after 6th, 9th of 11, 34l behind Small Fly (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Smalib Monterg (FR) 10-3fav (10-12) Mid-division on inside, chased leader when blundered 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Tzora (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Swift Chap 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Mister Chancer (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Petito (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jun beating Olympian Boy (11-10) by 4l, 5 ran.
Boogie Dancer 28-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, jumped left, stayed on approaching last, never a chance, 6th of 11, 29l behind Jolly Roger (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Jun.
Extreme Conviction (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, some headway on inside before 2 out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 27l behind Sunley Peace (10-3) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Apr '11.
