Held up on outer, disputed 4th from 8th, slight mistakes 5 out and 3 out, soon closer, challenged entering straight, ridden and disputed before 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, kept on same pace tchd 9/2
Chased leader, slight mistake 7th, close up and pressed leader after 5 out, disputed entering straight, ridden in 3rd before 2 out where slight mistake, soon no extra
Slight mistake 1st, soon held up behind leaders, mainly 4th, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, under pressure in 5th before straight, weakened op 12/1
Monalee (6/4), Turcagua (11/4), Battleford (5/1), Woods Well (7/1), Rathnure Rebel (10/1), New To This Town (14/1)
A fascinating six-runner field and it would be folly to rule any of them out completely. MONALEE gets the vote on the basis that he holds his two main market rivals on collateral form through Death Duty and The Storyteller. Battleford has been a bit underwhelming in three starts over hurdles and it may be that stablemate Turcagua holds the best chance of making it five straight wins for the trainer in this race. Rathnure Rebel struggled in a Grade Two last time and while he should do better, conceding weight to all of these rivals is enough overlook him for win purposes. Woods Well takes a big step up in class for this but won his maiden in facile fashion and should appreciate this test of stamina.
1. Monalee
2. Turcagua
3. Woods Well