made all, ridden clear when edged left over 1f out, hard pressed well inside final furlong, just held on
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, just failed
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader to halfway, soon behind
chased winner, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, nearest finish
behind, outpaced halfway, ridden and kept on when drifted left inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden and lost place halway, soon behind
in touch, chased winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left final furlong, no extra towards finish
A few of these have been around the mill and the supporters of the likes of William's Well, Legal Set and Viewforth will, no doubt, have suffered deep wounds over the years. So the selection of Red Monarch is made on the assumption that Paul Blockley has left enough horse to play with for his charge to land the hat-trick on ground that should hold no fears for him. The Woodborough gelding showed a glimpse of what he is made of when holding off Online Investor in a similar contest at Hamilton eleven days ago - an effort all the more commendable as it came over the minimum trip. The extra furlong will help the three-year-old today and he can get one over on his elders, who are not the most consistent bunch to have ever assembled on a race track. Bond Playboy bounced back in a poor race last time and looks the main danger if he can maintain his effort in this stiffer company.