always towards rear
held up towards rear, effort before last, never dangerous
held up behind, headway before last,soon chased winner, always held
tracked leader, led before last, kept on well
held up in touch, one pace from last
prominent, ridden aqnd every chance before last, weakened last 100 yards
in rear, tailed off after 2 out
led, ridden and headed before last, quickly weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway before last, kept on, no impression
Chino Valdes has already won at Cork and Fairyhouse this year but is 3lb higher than when only second to Degas Art at Perth last time. After a short break, Maska Pony was only beaten half-a-length at Market Rasen earlier this month while Rolecarr went even closer at Wetherby on his latest start and looks to be back to his best. Wings Of Smoke beat a decent sort in Cotillon at Aintree and What A Steel won at Kelso last month but we are taking progressive mare THE STRAWBERRY ONE to complete a four-timer. All three of her victories over hurdles so far have come at Towcester but this is a similarly stiff track and she is Berkshire trainer David Arbuthnot's only runner at the meeting.
Vivaldi (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, a close 5th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Makhzoon (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd, 6 ran.
Chino Valdes (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway on outside 3 out, switched inside and ridden approaching next, soon challenged, went right and led narrowly last, headed when edged left and bumped rival flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Degas Art (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
The Strawberry One 8-15fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, challenged last, ridden flat, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating There And Then (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Maska Pony (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) With leader, led 2nd, headed after 5th, mistake next, outpaced after 3 out, rallied last, ran on, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Speedy Directa (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Rolecarr (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) With leader, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, mistake last, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Makhzoon (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, took keen hold early stages, jumped left and bumped 2nd, hampered 8th, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, ran on well to draw clear flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Cotillion (11-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
Humbie (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Held up, hit 8th, headway approaching 11th, not fluent 15th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 10, 39l behind On His Own (10-7) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Just Victor 12-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, hit 5th, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Working Title (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Patriot (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Storm Breaker (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Zahara Joy 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Degas Art (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
What A Steel (IRE) 10-3 (10-3) Mid-division, took close order 3rd, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, led next, driven out, won at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Cool Baranca (10-4) by 4l, 9 ran.
