jumped right, led and went 3 lengths ahead before 2 out, went right and reduced lead last, headed and no extra towards finish
reluctant to jump off and whipped round as tapes rose, behind, in touch in rear 5th, went 3rd 9th, 2nd on inside after next, 3 lengths down and pushed along before 2 out, got through on inside run-in, led close home
close 3rd, went 2nd 6th until after 4 out, weakened next, eased when no chance run-in
tracked leader until 6th, lost 3rd 9th, soon beaten, tailed off
VALENTINO DANCER, a four times winner over hurdles, made a promising start over fences against more experienced rivals at Southwell and has more scope than Stepney Causeway, who is only 1-13 over the larger obstacles. Dr T J Eckleburg just hasn’t taken to fences so far while Oval Street will be carrying 23lb of overweight.
Valentino Dancer 4-1 (11-1) Led until after 6th, prominent, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, headed soon after last, soon beaten, heavily eased inside final 75 yards, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Al Zaraqaan (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Stepney Causeway 11-4 (12-2) Held up, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, last of 3, 5 1/4l behind Guinness Affair (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Dr T J Eckleburg (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, well beaten when not fluent 8th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind The Big Jetaway (11-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Oval Street (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Led until 8th, went left and not fluent next, soon led again, headed after 4 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Zoran (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
