raced keen in touch, headway 4 out, led 3 out, driven out run in
mistakes, soon behind, reminders 5th, tailed off when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out
tracked leader, ridden and slightly outpaced 3 out, every chance run in, held towards finish
led, headed 3 out, one pace after next
held up in rear, mistake 4th, blundered and unseated rider 6th
A tight little race to call but it might be worth chancing a small investment with Don Valentino, who makes the long journey from deepest Gloustershire for the modest prize-money available to day. Obvious dangers include: Bernardon, who has often hinted at more than he has consented to deliver, and Winter Garden, who has some useful course form to his name and will be staying on when others have cried enough on the long run-in here. Ideal Du Bois Beury is another that acts well at this course and could play a leading role if he puts in anything like his best today. However, he has been out of form of late and is for the brave only here. Therefore, with the likelihood of a fair price being available about Don Valentino, the Tom George-trained gelding is forwarded as the bet of a tricky race to fathom. The Polish import is open to bags of improvement as he has only raced six previous times since his arrival on these shores and starts his chasing career at a modest level today. It is also worth noting that his yard were responsible for the winner of this race at the corresponding meeting last year and, with luck on his side, Don Valentino can do his bit to pay for the traveling expenses by leading them home here.
