pulled hard, in touch, weakened over 2f out
chased winner until 5f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, not clear run over 5f out, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, ridden, edged left 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, weakened over 4f out, not much room on inside well over 3f out
took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 3rd near finish, no chance with 1st 2
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on outside 5f out, edged left, weakened over 1f out
made all, edged right final furlong, stayed on
in touch, ridden, weakened over 3f out
Nonrunner
Monfils Monfils is an interesting contender at this level and is selected ahead of Drizzi and Key Partners. The last named is versatile regarding the racing surfaces and should have very few problems with handling the Polytrack. However, he has a stiff test ahead under top weight and has a bit to prove on these terms. Drizzi was a multiple winner during his time in Italy and has a particularly good record when fresh. He returns on a fair mark and, with the usually comments about Simon Walker in amateur riders¿ races applying, the gelding has a solid chance in this company. York Cliff has winning course form to his name and is another to bear in mind if he is supported on course. However, the most interesting contender is the much travelled Monfils Monfils, who has outstanding claims if he runs anywhere near his official handicap mark and the six-year-old is expected to be very hard to beat today.
Key Partners (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, improved on outer over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 32l behind Pegasus Prince (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcap (6) fbs.
Bold Josr 66-1 (9-3) Soon struggling in rear, tailed off and virtually pulled up final 2f, last of 14, 49l behind Longspur (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Aug.
Converti 50-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 17l behind Kokkokila (11-6) at Warwick 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf.
Drizzi (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Kylkenny (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Golly (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Hdwy to ld 6; hdd 9; led 12-14; lost plce rap, 7th of 8, 43l behind Adventurist (12-0) at Lower Machen 3m ptp frm in May (N.Hunt).
Soldiers Quest 20-1 (8-13) Always behind, ridden and struggling 4f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind Obrigado (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
York Cliff 11-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 7l behind Bijou Dan (8-12) at Catterick 1m 6f sll (6) gs.
Classy Affair 40-1 (10-0) Keen, steady headway halfway, weakening when bumped 4f out, 9th of 12, 19l behind Smuglin (10-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in May (N.Hunt).
Dandygrey Russett (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 12l behind Rare Coincidence (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Jun '05.
Evianne 33-1 (10-4) Took keen hold early, in touch, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Maderson Blue (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf (N.Hunt).
Monash Lad (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 13, 32l behind Kokkokila (11-6) at Warwick 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf.
Monfils Monfils (USA) (8-10) Prominent, every chance, no extra, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Kavafi (9-9) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m hcp sft in Oct '06.
