prominent, challenged under pressure 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked winner, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakening when blundered last, lost 3rd close home
held up, never dangerous
tracked winner, lost place before 4 out
made all, pushed along 4 out, soon under pressure and strongly challenged, clear approaching last, ran on
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon under pressure and one pace
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, soon tailed off
behind, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 4th, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten
Distance winner Masjoor looks up to winning after an impressive performance last time out but as the gelding hasn't raced since June of last year it is MOUNT BENGER who is the selection here. The experienced gelding has hit a good vein of form. The nine-year-old has only finished outside the top two once in his last six races and has taken three victories for his yard since December. He looks very capable of winning again in this grade. Masjoor put in a decent performance last time out and although that was back in June of last year he should enjoy the run out in a relatively poor field of runners. Cursum Perficio hasn't tasted victory since 2007. His three outings since have proved rather disappointing. The seven-year-old should fare well here though and looks best of the rest. In a race where few should figure for the winner we look to Mount Benger.
Masjoor 7-2jt-fav (11-8) Pulled early and soon prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, mistake and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Beechwood (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jun.
Cursum Perficio 9-1 (11-7) Held up, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 10, 40l behind Orpen Wide (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Mr Tambourine Man (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) In touch, led 3rd, headed 6th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Keyneema (10-10) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs, 16 ran.
Muraqeb 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear and pulled up 2 out in race won by Willandrich (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jun '07, 16 ran.
Fortification (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Led until 2nd, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Green Belt Elite (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Mount Benger 10-1 (12-1) Close up, led after 5th, ridden after 3 out, hung right flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Sparkling Montjeu (10-0) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Critical Stage (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Stance (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Decree Nisi 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Speedy Directa (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs, 17 ran.
Shanahan (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, mid-division, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Karmadice (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Bundle Up 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 17, well behind Pepito Collonges (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl (5) gd.
