led, soon clear, ridden 4f out, kept on and headed towards finish
held up behind, ridden over 4f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch in chasing group, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened well over 2f out, soon eased
with leader and clear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Over strand has been in great heart lately and is fancied to get one over on in-form rivals Kayf Aramis and Our Monogram, while Paradise Flight would also have to be given a chance as she has enjoyed herself on previous visits to this West Yorkshire course. The last named is a game performer and will be dangerous to ignore in this company. Our Monogram won well at Chepstow last time and has to be given another chance from just a 3lb higher mark. Ralph Beckett's charge is also a previous course winner and has the battling qualities to ensure there is no let up in the tempo near the finish. Kayf Aramis is less exposed than most and comes here on just a 4lb higher mark than for his win at York last month. However, unlike many of the others, he didn't impress the last time he raced here and needs to prove himself capable of getting up the hill in the closing stages. Which is where we expect Overstrand to be doing all his best work. The form of his latest start is arguably the best recent effort on show and a repeat does would be good enough for him to gain some compensation this afternoon.
Monolith 11-1 (9-3) In touch, led over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Kayf Aramis (8-0) at York 2m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Our Monogram 12-1 (9-1) Prominent, led after 2f, ridden 4f out, headed approaching 2f out, led again inside final furlong, just held on, won at Chepstow 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating High Point (9-4) by a shd, 13 ran.
John Forbes 16-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Haatmey (9-1) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Overstrand (IRE) 15-2 (7-13) In touch, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Ski Jump (8-6) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Paradise Flight (IRE) 7-2co-fav (9-5) Held up in rear, outpaced 5f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Mr Majestic (8-7) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Openide 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 6f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Full House (9-11) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Kayf Aramis 9-1 (8-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at York 2m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May beating Overstrand (7-13) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
