held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last, raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, reminder over 5f out, weakening when hung right over 2f out
led 3f, chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, ridden when switched left over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong to take 2nd last strides
held up, headway halfway, slightly impeded when going 2nd 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, lost 2nd last strides
tracked leader, led after 3f, edged left 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Not a bad bumper and WALLACE MONUMENT is the one for us ahead of Cityar and The Fox's Decree and a couple of likely newcomers. The selection represents the red-hot Nicky Henderson team and although he was a beaten favourite in a similar contest first time out this season, the yard were only really starting to get going again then following the trainer's enforced holiday. Decent ground should suit him and he can show us his true hand this time. Cityar beat The Fox's Decree here in a similar contest and so the latter now has a decent chance of reversing those placings with a 7lb pull courtesy of the penalty carried by John O'Shea's charge, though both may come up short. Thunderstorm was a very expensive purchase for Mrs John Magnier but is related to winners in bumpers and over hurdles, and will stay much further than this in time. Market support for the Milan gelding would be of interest, much as it would for Voltigger Hill. Charlie Mann's four-year-old is also related to plenty of winning stayers and will be better in time for a trip, but with the yard going well he can make his presence felt today. Even so, Wallace Monument is selected in the last.
Cityar (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up, headway on inside over 5f out, led 3f out, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Oct beating The Fox's Decree (11-2) by 3l, 7 ran.
Just One Thing (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Raced keenly, led after 2f, hung right from 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 12, 11l behind Cresswell Pride (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Prince Paolo (FR) Solar One gelding out of Galaxie.
The Fox's Decree 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leader, led 4f out, headed 3f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Cityar (10-9) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Thunderstorm (IRE) Milan gelding out of Elizabeth Tudor.
Voltigger Hill (GER) Tiger Hill gelding out of Village.
Wallace Monument 5-6fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 8f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sparrow Hills (10-13) at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct '08.
