held up in rear, smooth headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed when hit last, edged left and no extra flat
made most throughout, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
disputed lead, led 4 out, ridden and headed next, kept on one pace flat
held up in touch, pushed along 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 6th, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, headway 4 out, challenged next, led last, driven clear flat
held up in rear, driven along 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
Monolith looks the one to beat in this opener with Riothamus, Bacyan and Commanche Quest also worthy of consideration. The gelding from the Lenny Lungo yard looks to be ahead of the handicapper at the present time and he was a game winner at Bangor when defeating Scarface. He will relish the ground and providing he is fit after a break, he will be the one to beat. Bacyan could give our selection the most to do and he was a good winner of a bumper at Carlisle. He will appreciate the step up in trip as he looks to have plenty of stamina, and he should go well. Commanche Quest is another with chances as he was a game winner at Hexham when beating Monty's Quest. But he is dropped in trip here and that is unlikely to suit, so he is opposed for that reason. Riothamus won a moderate race at Carlisle last time and would have a chance if he improved, but we are happy to side with Monolith.
