tracked leader, hit 2nd, led after 2 out, clear before last, easily
towards rear, no chance with leaders from 3rd, went remote 4th before 5th until last, tailed off
jumped badly right on occasions, mid-division, lost place after 2nd, well behind from next, tailed off after 3 out
took keen hold in rear, no chance with leaders from 3rd, went remote 4th last, tailed off
led, mistake 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, carried right 1st, no chance with leaders from 3rd, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner before last
towards rear, no chance with leaders from 3rd, blundered 5th, tailed off
Valseur Du Granval has a higher chase rating than Super Scorpion but hasn’t raced over hurdles in almost three years whereas Debra Hamer’s charge has been placed three times over the smaller obstacles recently. However, it’s difficult to get away from WHAT’S OCCURRING (NAP), who made all in a maiden here last month on similar going and is proving quite consistent. Mustaaqeem has won on the Flat but that sole success came in 2015 and he’s not pulled up any trees lately.
What's Occurring (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Made all, shaken up when challenged approaching last, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct beating Golden Promise (11-5) by 2l, 5 ran.
Bonjour Steve 200-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, always behind, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Denmead (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Mustaaqeem (USA) 66-1 (9-8) In touch, pushed along over 5f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, dist behind Divin Bere (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Nomination Game (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in rear, headway 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Normal Norman (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Super Scorpion (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Led, hood loosened and removed by rider at 7th, going well before 3 out, looked in command 2 out, reduced lead last, hung right run-in, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Lord Condi (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gf in Oct.
Tis Wonderful (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Took keen hold towards rear, not fluent 2nd, awkward 5th, well beaten 3 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Djin Conti (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in May.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up behind, hit 7th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Champagne At Tara (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Zorlu (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, lost touch halfway, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Ilewin Geez (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Oct.
Right Royals Day 33-1 (10-5) Always well off the pace in last, reached for 5th, tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Lord Condi (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gf in Oct.
