with leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along after 7th, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 8th, lost place after 4 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden next, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd, headway to chase leaders 7th, weakened after 4 out
in touch, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
held up, headway 8th, led 2 out, ridden clear and jumped left last, eased towards finish
held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner and jumped left last, no impression
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after next
Valentines Lady gets the narrow vote in this handicap hurdle with Anglicisme and Ballyboley rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Uncommited, enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and under conditions that suit she is taken to win again. Anglicisme rates the main danger behind Blue Splash. However this shorter trip looks against him and he is taken on with this in mind. Ballyboley is another worthy of respect as he beat Push The Port with a little in hand last time out. However his penalty may just find him out but by the same token he could improve for this longer trip. Chickapeakray is sure to have come on fore his first run of the season and should be watched in the market while Mr Preacher Man is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is very one paced and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Valentines Lady,
Freetown (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always toward rear, 8th of 16, 48l behind Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Anglicisme (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders and not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Chickapeakray 4-1 (11-7) Struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Endless Power (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Ballyboley (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led until after 6th, led again 8th, clear 3 out, ridden out, held on well, won at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating Push The Port (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mr Preacher Man 4-1 (11-5) Led to 6th, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Hills Of Aran (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Valentines Lady (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Made most, hard pressed from 3 out, all out, won at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs beating Uncommited (10-3) by 7l, 16 ran.
Menelaus 12-1 (10-3) Always mid-division, 8th of 17, 9l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Spare Me 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Original Fly (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 9th, ridden and lost place 13th, 7th of 11, 20l behind Ferimon (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Quasimodo (GB) 25-1 (9-11) Chased leader, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Hill Forts Timmy (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Anchors Away 100-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 8th, led 3 out, kept on well, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Bafana Boy (11-12) by 3l, 12 ran.
