tracked leaders, every chance when hit 2 out, not quicken
in rear and in touch, blundered 5th, tailed off 5 out
tracked winner, mistake 5th, lost 2nd place before 2 out, son ridden and one pace
made all, not fluent 3rd, blundered 4th, pressed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
VIOLET DANCER defied his speedy pedigree by proving a very decent hurdler, winning the betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February before trying his luck at both Cheltenham and Aintree. His half-brother Chris P Green proved a money-spinner for the yard over fences last season and Gary Moore's five-year-old may have too much pace for Thomas Crapper over this trip. The latter is having his ninth start over the larger obstacles today and ended the last campaign over longer distances, though will surely find a race before long. Minella Present also has decent form over fences but also a penalty for winning at Fontwell in June.
Minella Present (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Held up, not always fluent, closed 7th, led before last, ridden clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 1f (4) gs in Jun beating Third Act (10-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Monzino (USA) 80-1 (10-0) In rear, pushed along before mistake and reminder 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 9th, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Thomas Crapper 7-1fav (10-11) Soon mid-division, 10th after 4th, 8th approaching straight, soon no impression,, 7th of 17, 35 3/4l behind Blood Cotil (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Violet Dancer 14-1 (10-7) Led after 3rd, headed after 4out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, dist behind Cheltenian (10-13) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
