with leader until lost place 3 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and under pressure last, held on gamely towards finish
tracked leaders until weakened 2 out
held up, hit 6th, outpaced from 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish
led, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
held up, effort 4 out, no impression
held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out
A very tricky handicap hurdle that may fall to Monte Rosa, with Lanzlo and Iris's Prince just two of many dangers. Following a promising run in a bumper the selection was successful on her hurdles debut at Kelso back in November. She looked in need of her recent effort at the same track and we should see plenty of improvement. She will need to improve as today's rival Iris's Prince was twelve lengths ahead on that occasion. Mick Fitzgerald takes the ride on the top-weight and the combination will be hard to keep out of the money. Lanzlo comes here in winning form having beaten Red Perk in a similar race last time. Today's drop in distance shouldn't be a problem and a big run can be expected. Assumetheposition and Peter's Imp are two others worthy of a mention, but Monte Rosa is expected to improve leaps and bounds and gets our narrow vote.
Iris's Prince 10-3 (11-6) Chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Hot Weld (11-9) at Perth 3m hdl (E) gf.
Crystal Gift 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, dropped rear 6th, outpaced 4 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Ever Present (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.
Political Sox 15-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon pushed along, no impression, 6th of 7, 21l behind Bob's Gone (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf.
Lanzlo (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headay approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead flat, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd beating Red Perk (10-8) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Leapogues Lady (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly last, hard pressed flat, held on, won at Perth 3m amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Apr beating Whispering Moor (11-5) by a hd, 16 ran.
Assumetheposition (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Keen, chased leaders until weakened after 4 out, 12th of 17, 28l behind Pebble Bay (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar.
Green 'n' Gold 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 50l behind Hello Baby (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Apr.
Monte Rosa (IRE) 5-4fav (10-13) Held up in rear, hit 5th, reminders and pushed along 7th, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Hernando's Boy (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (E) gs in Apr.
