in touch, ridden 2 out, one pace flat
never better than mid-division
behind, ridden approaching 9th, kept on from 3 out, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace flat
mid-division, headway 6th, led 8th, driven out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, headway 2 out, stayed on flat, not reach winner
took keen hold in touch, ridden 8th, soon weakened
always towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led after 1st, mistake 5th, headed approaching 7th, soon ridden, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 1st, behind from 3rd
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, mistake 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, lost place after 6th, tailed off from 4 out
chased leaders 2nd, led approaching 7th, headed next, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace
Another competitive race with plenty of the 18 runners having claims including the likes of Canal End, Backscratcher, Red Will Danagher and Blazing Batman but the vote goes to Nicky Henderson's Diamond Monroe, who may be open to more improvement than most. The seven-year-old has only had six career starts and has shown progressive form, filling the runner-up spot in each of his last two outings. A rating of 85 seems fair and, on ground that should suit, he gets the vote. Jonjo O'Neill's Canal End is also unexposed but needs to improve and a bigger threat may be Red Will Danagher, who ran well when second to The Tile Baron at Cartmel recently. However, a 4lb rise since then is harsh. Backscratcher has claims off his light weight while Blazing Batman tends to find at least one too good.
