not always fluent, led and set very steady pace, headed 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd before next, ridden and weakened between last 2
pulled hard tracking leader until steadied 3rd after 9th, mistake and stumbled badly 11th, 2nd again on outside approaching 2 out, good jump and every chance last, pressing winner when hung badly left run-in, not recover
jumped boldly, tracked leading pair, close 2nd after 9th, led 3 out, good jump and quickened next, joined and good jump last, driven and stayed on gamely run-in
Valhalla has won three-runner races at Exeter and Wincanton since the turn of the year but looks up against it here giving weight to higher-rated rivals. Adrien Du Pont has come up against smart novices since winning at Fontwell in the autumn. He is 8lb superior to HAPPY DIVA according the handicapper but has to give 9lb to Kerry Lee’s tough mare taking into account Richard Patrick’s claim so the latter gets the vote as she doesn’t know how to run a bad race.
Valhalla (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led briefly before 5th, not fluent next, led again approaching 3 out, clear before 2 out, stayed on, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Persian Delight (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until before 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Sceau Royal (11-5) at Doncaster 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Happy Diva (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, not fluent 12th, went 2nd 2 out, switched right after last, looked dangerous 75 yards out, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Rene's Girl (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Feb.
