in touch, ridden when hampered 2 out, stayed on from last, just held
tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden 2 out, held on gamely from last
mid-division, driven and weakened 9th, tailed off from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon driven and weakened
held up, headway 3 out, driven and one pace from last
in rear, headway 3 out, going well when fell next
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, well behind when pulled up before next
held up, headway 3 out, no extra approaching last
held up, never dangerous
tracked leader, mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on from last
mid-division, ridden 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up, headway 3 out, driven and weakened approaching last
led, headed 5th, remained handy, ridden 3 out, driven and weakened from next
tracked leaders, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
Nonrunner
VALERIUS had several engagements at this meeting so it looks significant that he takes in this one; Diablo, Kirbybroguelantern and The Sliotar are just a few on what is a lengthy list of dangers. A facile winner at Perth in September, the selection then ran a respectable second here at the track. He possibly needs a stronger pace than he got on that occasion and likely to get one today, a big run looks on the cards. Fair Along is an interesting sort; the 2007 Arkle runner-up tries this trip for the first time today and stamina is not assured despite his class. The Sliotar used to be with Gary Moore but now resides at Pond House and he has claims returned to hurdles, with the ground not expected to be a problem. Powerstation has top-weight but he is a talented performer and has been in good form lately however a mark of 150 looks tough, so a bigger danger could be Kirbybroguelantern assuming his stamina holds out. Pride Of Dulcote is likely to be popular on this handicap debut after a facile win at Chepstow, but this is so much tougher and he is likely to be a false price, Diablo will appreciate the return to a longer trip, whilst Sullumo should improve for his recent run and his form from last season is rock solid. Tricky to find the winner, but we will try our best with Valerius.
Powerstation (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, closer in 4th approaching straight, 2nd travelling well 2 out, challenged and led approaching last where good jump, clear and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f hdl hvy in Oct beating General Striker.
Fair Along (GER) 9-2 (11-5) Disputed lead, led 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner flat, kept on gamely to hold on for 2nd, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Buena Vista (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) In touch until weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 12, 45l behind Hills Of Aran (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Kirbybroguelantern (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, closer 2nd halfway, led before 4 out, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, eased close home, won at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Oct beating Made In Taipan (11-10) by 12l, 17 ran.
Sullumo (GER) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, mistake 4th, steady headway 4 out, led 2 out, headed after last and edging left under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Brenin Cwmtudu (10-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Pride of Dulcote (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) In touch, led after 6th, drew well clear from 3 out, easily, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Little Josh (11-0) by 24l, 16 ran.
Valerius (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, challenge approaching last, kept on flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Diablo (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Diablo (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 10, 24l behind Hell's Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Convincing 6-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway to 5th 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, moderate 3rd last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Sky Hall (9-3) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl sft in Oct.
The Sliotar (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden 4 out, blundered next, soon weakened, kept on to be remote 2nd, 2nd of 8, 33l behind Ocean du Moulin (10-12) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gf in May.
Copsale Lad 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, mistakes 11th and 15th, outpaced 4 out, staying on when mistake last, 5th of 17, 14l behind Parsons Legacy (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Ardalan (IRE) 5-1co-fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 6th 5 out, 4th after 3 out, no extra from next, jumped left last, 6th of 18, 17l behind Shazand (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft in Oct.
To Arms 20-1 (9-7) Held up, good headway on bit after 8th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, staying on in close 2nd when mistake last, not recover, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Hills Of Aran (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Best Actor (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Led, hit 6th, headed 3 out and not fluent, soon ridden, disputed lead 2 out, every chance last, ran on again close home, just denied, 2nd of 8, hd behind Old Benny (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar '07.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Led until 2nd, led 5th until next, weakened after 8th, 8th of 12, 31l behind Hills Of Aran (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Go Free 33-1 (10-13) Always in the rear, 13th of 14, well behind Warsaw Pact (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
