Lady Valentino can take the chequered flag with Grandad Bill, Oeuf A La Neige and Reddy Ronnie amongst some of the more interesting alternatives. The selection had to settle for the bridesmaid's role on her final two starts of 2007 but appears to have trained on and has been found a suitable opportunity to take the honours. She may have been beaten by 7 lengths at Beverley but it was a better race than this and she was staying on well following a slow start. Oeuf A La Neige has plenty of experience and is capable of winning a race like this although a searching gallop may stretch his stamina beyond its breaking point. Grandad Bill is entitled to have come on for his reappearance, is on a fair mark and has the assistance of a talented apprentice in the saddle. Shosolosa is not without claims but is still a maiden after twenty four starts and of more interest may be Reddy Ronnie. He has a fair bit to prove as he embarks upon a new campaign and the market can guide to his claims; our selection, Lady Valentino, is a more solid option.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Always rear, 15th of 17, 10l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-12) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sol Rojo 9-1 (8-6) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Amanda Carter (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (5) gf.
Oeuf A La Neige 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 9l behind Keisha Kayleigh (10-12) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Jarvo 16-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 7l behind Royal Premier (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Muncaster Castle (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Royal Amnesty (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Soldier Field 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, no headway from over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 7l behind Takaamul (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Botham (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Held up, not clear run over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 20l behind Hora (9-4) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Lady Valentino 15-2 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Karmest (8-7) at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Grandad Bill (IRE) 9-1 (7-13) Led early, prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Shunkawakhan (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Apr.
Shosolosa (IRE) 10-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, headway and wide over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Nassar (8-5) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Rock Haven (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Steadied start, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 17l behind Gunnadoit (8-11) at Brighton 1m 2f stk (6) gs in Apr.
Reddy Ronnie (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind Pivotal Truth (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Gee Ceffyl Bach 14-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Balerno (8-10) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-50 (6) gf in Apr.
Fluoree (FR) 200-1 (9-7) Always rear division, 9th of 13, 21l behind Dubai Meydan (9-0) at Catterick 7f mdn stk (5) gd.
