led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened from 2f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, no headway, never dangerous
stumbled start, soon chased leaders, effort to chase winner 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on to close on winner inside final furlong, always just held
towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
started slowly, soon ridden long towards rear, outpaced final 2f
tracked leader, led over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, ridden out
in touch, no impression over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, effort and chased leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and lost place halfway, soon in rear
started slowly, always in rear, never a factor
Valhillen wears first time cheek pieces to keep his mind focused and is taken to win at the expense of Flying Indian and Copperbottomed. The selection has been running well in competitive handicaps this spring without getting his head in front. His rating as a result has stayed the same so connections have dropped him in grade for the first time. All of his winning form has come on the all weather which is a down side but he has only had one outing in his career on the turf. If translating his all weather form back to the turf he has to have every chance of success not dropped to this lower grade. Flying Indian did catch the eye when second to Pennyspider around this track last time out. He is relatively unexposed and now in this company he has to be on the short list so any support in the betting market should be noted. Copperbottomed has been enjoying considerable success in selling and claiming company races over the winter and spring winning four times. He ran well at Folkestone to finish second on his latest start so comes into the race in fine fettle. He will have his supporters but this might be his toughest task for some time so he would be needing a personal best to be winning. So for the winner we return to Valhillen.
Flying Seasons 33-1 (8-9) Started slowly, behind, some headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out, 12th of 14, 13l behind Baron's Court (8-9) at Kempton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Midnite Blews (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led, ridden when headed 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Restless Genius (9-1) at Brighton 6f mdn aut stk (5) gs in Apr.
Spic 'n Span 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and weakening when edging left over 2f out, headed over 1f out, eased, 6th of 12, 9l behind Just Jimmy (8-7) at Chepstow 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd.
Valhillen 10-1 (8-6) Chased leader until over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Baunagain (9-3) at Great Leighs 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Blue Zenith (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 18, 15l behind Generous Thought (9-2) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Nov.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, edged left over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, stayed on, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Swindon Town Flyer (9-5) at Folkestone 5f 3yo clm (6) gs in Apr.
Didntcomeback 150-1 (9-3) Dwelt and always rear, last of 12, 14l behind Haybrook (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Flying Indian 5-1 (8-10) Tracked winner, ridden and close up approaching final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Pennyspider (8-1) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Nestor Protector (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Slow away, towards rear, effort 4f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 8l behind Blue Empire (9-5) at Southwell 7f sll (6) gf in Apr.
Miss Firefly 16-1 (9-1) Dwelt, took keen hold in mid-divison, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken and one pace over 1f out, 7th of 12, 4l behind Little Knickers (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) pol in Apr.
Flemish Art (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 12l behind Secret Meaning (8-5) at W'hampton 7f 3yo sll (6) pol in Apr.
No Point (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Started slowly, mid-division, effort when not much room over 3f out, not recover, 12th of 13, 13l behind Caprio (9-5) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Bahia Palace 16-1 (8-7) In rear, kept on towards finish, 5th of 10, 8l behind Secret Meaning (8-5) at W'hampton 7f 3yo sll (6) pol in Apr.
