with leader, led 3rd, ridden before 3 out, blundered 2 out, headed before last, switched right run-in, kept on and just held towards finish
led to 3rd, tracked leader, pushed along before 11th, weakened next
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 10th, led before last, ridden and edged left run-in, just held on towards finish
held up in rear and in touch, outpaced before 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, never dangerous
Drum Valley never looked like winning when made favourite at Worcester last month and needs to brush up his jumping, though still has the beating of Argentato on the form book. He has to give 6lb here to SALUBRIOUS, which may prove beyond him. Paul Nicholls' charge makes his chasing debut but is sure to have had plenty of schooling and was placed in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company over hurdles last season. Ballydague Lady looks up against it on what she's shown so far.
Drum Valley 11-8fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 10th, mistake 14th, one pace and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Up For An Oscar (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Argentato 100-1 (10-13) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 5th, led 7th, headed 9th, mistake and lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Up For An Oscar (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Salubrious (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in 6th, headway after 4 out, tracking leaders when hampered and carried right 2 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 15l behind Whisper (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Ballydague Lady (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, behind 6th, 6th of 8, 25l behind Gran Maestro (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
