held up towards rear, pushed along halfway ,headway on inner 2f out, no impression final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased
in touch, ridden over 2f out, not much room final furlong, switched to left inside, stayed on well towards finish
in touch, squeezed for room over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway after not much room over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid division, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, kept on, headed towards finish
went left start, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened
led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong, weakened inside
slowly into stride and hampered start, always behind
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
behind, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not much room and switched left when headway over 1f out, ran on well to lead towards finish
hampered start, always towards rear
A competitive handicap with several runners holding claims including Bitter Sweet, Eton, and Analyze but the vote goes to Valeureux who has conditions to suit. Bitter Sweet is only 4lbs higher than when winning at Folkestone last month but has been beaten off his new mark since and is not certain to handle the cut in the ground. A similar comment applies to Eton, who although winning on soft ground in Germany is better on a faster surface. Analyze is an admirably consistent sort and should run his usual good race but is another who would probably prefer faster going. Top weight Trouble Mountain has form in the soft but may be a touch high in the handicap at present and more solid claims are held by Montmatre, who is less exposed than most. However, Valeureux is the one that gets the vote. James Hetherton's gelding ran some good races on a soft surface over hurdles during the winter and has run well on his return to the level. A below par effort on unsuitably fast ground last time is probably bets ignored and back on a softer surface and a more suitable trip he is given another chance.