jumped right, chased leading pair, struggling when blundered 3 out
led until before 5th, chased winner, not fluent 4 out, readily held and no chance before 2 out
tracked leader, led before 5th, clear before 2 out, pushed out run-in, readily
always last, not fluent 1st, mistake next, weakened 7th, tailed off
A classy if select field in which CLIC WORK is taken to make the most of what looks a tempting mark on his handicap debut for the champion trainer. A decent hurdler, he is expected to do well over fences and can make the most of the healthy 13lb he receives from Valseur Du Granval. The latter has taken really well to fences and demands considerable respect for this season's new and successful combination of George and Heskin. He jumps well and the quicker the ground the better. Nicolas Chauvin has probably not totally fulfilled expectations over hurdles or fences but should run his race whilst Midtech Valentine is asked a pretty tough question on his chasing debut but has been in good form over timber this year, winning four times, apart from a major disappointment when last seen.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 5 out, blundered next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 13l behind Knockgraffon (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Nicolas Chauvin (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, took keen hold, closed 4th, led 4 out, headed before last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind I'dliketheoption (11-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Clic Work (FR) 7-2cfav (11-11) Held up, in touch, effort after 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on under pressure closing stages, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Winning Spark (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Midtech Valentine 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, in touch when mistakes 7th and 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Briery Queen (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
