chased leaders, lost some ground after 7th, closed 4 out, chased winner 3 out, no impression before 2 out
chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 8th, hanging left and lost place before 3 out, well beaten 4th before 2 out
raced keenly, chased leader, not fluent 5th, reached at 7th, lost 2nd before next, not fluent 4 out, soon well beaten, pulled up before 3 out
led until after 4 out, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out
held up rear of mid-division on inside, closed 7th, went 2nd after 8th, led after 4 out, mistake 3 out, clear before 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
mid-division on outside, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 6th, lost place after next, behind 8th, pulled up after
rear of mid-division, closed before 4 out, 3rd 3 out, no impression, weakening before 2 out
in rear, ridden after 7th, jumped left 4 out, well behind 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Monty's Award was going well in the autumn but has 10 lengths to find with the equally in-form Loup De Maulde on their run together here last month, though is 11lb better off. Back over hurdles for the first time since May, the handicapper has certainly given a chance to THE MACON LUGNATIC. His yard is in great form and Dylan Whelan’s 7lb claim is a further plus. Samtara could also benefit from a switch back to the smaller obstacles and Grillon De Monty chased home a subsequent winner on his UK debut and will strip fitter today.
What About Time (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Close up, driven along 4 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Blenkinsop (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
The Macon Lugnatic 3-1 (11-12) In touch when fell 6th, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Samtara 40-1 (11-12) Towards rear on outside, not fluent 8th, closed next, dropped to rear of mid-division when fell 12th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Grillon De Monty (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Led, dived at 2 out, joined last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Apple Rock (12-0) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Loup De Maulde (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Held up, headway going well home turn, led approaching 3 out, length clear last, ran on flat, bumped with rival and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Lily Glitters (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Voyburg (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Handy, bumped 1st and tracked leaders, pushed along after 12th, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Monty's Award (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) In rear, headway and switched wide before 4 out, pushed before 3 out, ridden in 3rd turning for home, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Loup De Maulde (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Hesbehindyou (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Towards rear, pushed along and chased leaders home turn, not fluent 2 out or last, stayed on run-in and took 2nd close home, not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Alexandra Romanov (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Dec.
