tracked leader till 2nd, remained in touch, reminders at 4th, weakened 14th, tailed off and clambered over final 4 fences to finish a remote 3rd
chased leader 2nd, joined leader after 10th, mistake and fell 12th
held up in touch, 4 lengths down when mistake and fell 12th
led, soon clear, joined after 10th, left clear 12th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up in touch, left 2nd at 12th, led soon after 2 out, idled flat, shaken up and ran on towards finish
Only a small field goes to post for this beginners' chase and we will side with VALLEY RIDE to prevail over Pairc Na Gcapall and Deep Reflection. David Arbuthnot's 9-year-old was rated 128 over hurdles and he looks to have been found a good opportunity here to get his head in front over birch. He is a thorough stayer and he ran a race full of credit when he was third behind Best Actor at Southwell last month. He will relish the ground and he looks the one to beat. Pairc Na Gcapall is interesting as he got some solid form in Irish point-to-points and he ran well here last time in a better race than this when he finished fifth behind Ferimon. He seems to like this track and he has to be on the shortlist. Deep Reflection was a little disappointing over hurdles last time and he was pulled-up on his sole run over the chase fences. Consequently, he does have a few questions to answer at present but it would not be a surprise to see him go well. Federstar could be of interest on his chasing debut, but Valley Ride sets a fair benchmark in this race and he can land the prize.
Deep Reflection 11-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and weakened 7th, 5th of 7, 29l behind Penn Da Benn (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Federstar (GER) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, driven along after 6th, went 2nd and hit 3 out, regained 2nd soon after 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Victorias Groom (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
High Gliding (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Always behind, completely tailed off, last of 11, well behind Jadanli (11-4) at Sligo 2m nov hdl hvy in Jul '07.
Pairc Na Gcapall (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, mistake 13th, soon under pressure, lost place approaching 3 out, 5th of 12, 27l behind Ferimon (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Valley Ride (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, outpaced approaching 4 out, kept on from 3 out, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Best Actor (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
