held up behind, outpaced after 11th, some late progress from 3 out, never troubled leaders
held up, ridden and no impression when hit 12th, never dangerous
in touch, ridden after 11th, soon beaten
in touch, ridden in close 3rd when stumbled on bend approaching 3 out, one pace from next
led, ridden and headed 3 out, hit last, kept on
held up, headway after 10th, close 4th when hit 4 out, soon ridden, not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th
in touch, mistake 10th, lost touch from next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, losing touch when hit 12th
tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well, ridden out
behind from 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, ridden after 10th, soon behind
Maidstone Monument can account for Master T, Midnight Gold and Just Muckin Around. There appear to be quite a few in with claims at first glance, but it could in the end rest between the four mentioned, all winners last time out. Maidstone Monument goes well for Richard Johnston who has now ridden him to victory three times in all, the latest success coming at Newton Abbot just over three weeks ago. He goes well on top of the ground and is still attractively weighted compared to last year. He only cost Alison Thorpe 500gns at the sales, and has rattled up a total of eight wins for the Welsh trainer. That sequence could well be extended to nine here. Master T jumped like a stag when scoring at Plumpton last month and would have been virtually certain to follow up under a penalty according to his trainer. However, he was not considered sound enough and was rested to wait for this. Midnight Gold is only a novice but did the job well on his chase bow at Southwell, while Just Muckin Around has more to do than when landing a selling handicap chase over shorter here last time. Having weighed up the options, the finger points to Maidstone Monument.
Balladeer (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up last, ridden and effort 4 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Kosmos Bleu (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Master T (USA) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, chased leading pair going well after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May beating Acertack (10-8) by 3l, 8 ran.
Midnight Gold 9-2jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden next, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May beating Wee William (10-9) by 2l, 8 ran.
Maidstone Monument (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well, eased close home, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May beating Eljay's Boy (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tommy Spar 10-1 (11-12) In touch, reminder 8th, ridden and chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Terramarique (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Native Performance (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) In touch, headway to chase winner 15th, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Primrose Park (10-5) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Just Muckin Around (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway and chased leader 9th, led 3 out, hard ridden to last, held on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in May beating Barren Lands (11-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Barren Lands 15-2 (11-9) Not fluent 1st, mid-division, outpaced 4th, ridden and headway 9th, chased winner 3 out, ran on well from last not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Just Muckin Around (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in May.
