led, not fluent and headed 7th, led again before 10th, headed after 13th, driven 4 out, no impression with front pair from 2 out
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 13th, mistake 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression in clear 2nd from last
tracked leader, led 7th to before 10th, in touch, driven 4 out, led again 2 out, drew clear from last
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th and next, not jump well after, struggling 10th, lost touch when went left and unseated rider 12th
It's rare to see Venetia Williams unveil one in the summer months but this does look a strong opportunity for MONETARY FUND to score on his chasing debut after spending most of 2014 running in decent handicap hurdles. He's by far the best of these over timber and should collect with a clear round. Man Of Steel has been earning regular place money in ordinary summer hurdles and Peter Bowen now wastes no time turning his attention to chasing and he looks the main danger. Zafaraban refused on his only previous chasing start, whilst Minella Web has shown nothing under Rules but does have a couple of point-to-point successes to his name.
Man Of Steel (IRE) 5-6fav (10-7) Led to 3rd, led again 6 out, ridden before 2 out, headed last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Garnock (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Minella Web (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place next, closed after 4th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Collodi (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Monetary Fund (USA) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on from 2 out, went 4th close home, 4th of 10, 19l behind Shubaat (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Zafaraban (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Led, reluctant and headed 2nd, prominent after but needed driving into the hurdles and often given reminders between them, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 28l behind Sur La Mer (11-12) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
