raced in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms
tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, led on bit over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, headed and no extra closing stages
settled in mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders over 5f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 6f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, under pressure halfway, soon lost place, tailed off
led, strongly challenged from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
Valley Lad certainly wasn't stopping when scoring over 1m6f here on his racecourse debut and should make a bold bid to follow up with his penalty over this longer trip. Sharlene's Quest hinted at ability at Southwell, while Yorkshire Knight wasn't disgraced on his return to action at Catterick. Sertao has a decent pedigree but so does fellow newcomer HENOK, who gets the vote as he is closely related to a number of successful hurdlers and chasers on both sides of the English Channel and hails from a yard that does well in this type of race.
Valley Lad (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, clear 2f out, eased final furlong, comfortable, won at Ffos Las 1m 6f nhf (5) sft in Nov beating Tenby Jewel (11-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Call Me Frankie (IRE) Indian Danehill gelding out of Violets Wild.
Henok (FR) Kapgarde gelding out of Harkosa.
Sertao (FR) Passing Sale gelding out of Etoile Bleu.
Yorkshire Knight (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 13, 17l behind Broadbackbob (10-12) at Catterick 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Countess Susy 33-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden 5f out, weakened 4f out, tailed off, 7th of 13, 49l behind Semi Colon (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) sft in Nov.
Dante's Lady (IRE) Samraan mare out of Fashions Dante.
Sharlene's Quest (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Held up in touch and keen, ridden 2f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 13l behind Baby Shine (10-11) at Southwell 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Jan.