led and slow st, joined 5th, soon headed, ridden 3 out, rallied flat and led close home
held up, driven 5th, closer order after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last
tracked leader, disputed lead 5th, led soon after, ridden when headed after 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, led and not fluent after 3 out, soon ridden, all out when headed close home
in rear, lost touch from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
ridden 5th and some progress, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Huckster has showed little in his last two outings so is opposed and we will plump for Vaughan as the selection ahead of the returning Monticelli. Henry Daly has his horses in great form at the present and suited by the ground, Vaughan must hold solid claims in an open contest. The step back up in trip today will suit as he has won over it before and this straight-forward horse looks the call. Huckster won well at Bangor three runs ago but has shown little since and cannot be fancied, whilst Templer is pretty consistent and looks capable of running into a place. Monticelli will have to give weight away to the whole field if he is to go in on his reappearance but he was a decent sort a couple of years ago so should be watched in the market for signs of support. Quasimodo is one who could go well at a price, but for the winner we will return to Vaughan.
Monticelli (GER) 2-1jt-fav (11-6) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 5l behind Rooster's Reunion (11-6) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gf in Oct '05.
Vaughan 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Fleet Street (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 28-1 (11-0) Always behind, hit 4th, blundered 7th, 8th of 12, 47l behind Treasury Counsel (10-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Templer (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from next but not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 16, 11l behind Pyleigh Lady (11-2) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Aldiruos (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Always behind, 12th of 16, 34l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Jahash 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 17, 49l behind Eleazar (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Quasimodo (GB) 18-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 7th, headway next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Silencio (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Huckster (ZIM) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, hit 6th, ridden and headway 9th, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 17, 44l behind Mikado (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
