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Monet's Garden exorcised the demons that haunted him at Kempton over Christmas as he landed his first Grade One success in the Commercial First Ascot Chase at the Berkshire track. The handsome grey trailed home 52 lengths behind Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase despite being strongly fancied, with Nicky Richards suggesting the overnight stay at Kempton may have had an adverse affect. With that in mind, the nine-year-old travelled down from Greystoke in the early hours of Saturday morning and showed his true colours with a polished display. He was always racing keenly for Tony Dobbin and having led the field into the Ascot straight, the 11-10 favourite soared over the final two fences and was eased down close to the line. Thisthatandtother boxed on from the back of the field to take second under Ruby Walsh, some eight lengths in arrears, Richards said: "That was a bit better and was back to normal. "He is pretty good when he is good and Tony said he felt fantastic today. "He didn't stay overnight this time and the box driver and my daughter left the yard just before five this morning, so it is a good effort on their part. "He looked a little dehydrated in the paddock before Kempton as his skin was tight, and he ran similar to the Relkeel at Cheltenham, but it is easy to make excuses after the event. "I don't know which race he will run in at Cheltenham. I will discuss the Gold Cup but I would say that is doubtful. "If the ground was slow he could go for the Champion Chase, but I think he wants good ground and if we get that, the Ryanair would suit him best of all."
