hampered after 1f, lost place, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened 2f out
ridden to chase leaders, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led 2f out, headed final strides
behind, headway 3f out, weakened final furlong
behind, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
slow into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden and ran on to lead post
behind, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace
held up behind, headway 3f out, ran on inside final furlong
led 1st furlong, led again over 3f out until over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5f out, switched right and led over 2f out, soon headed, kept on one pace
hampered after 1f, chased leaders, ridden and hung right 5f out, ran wide bend, soon weakened
led after 1f, headed and weakened over 3f out
Littleton Valar gets a tentative vote here over Diva Dancer, Eddies Jewel and River of Fire. Trying to be optimistic about the chances of any in this line-up is not the easiest task, but Littleton Valar is a speculative choice based on his two latest efforts, one over hurdles and more recently on the fibresand at Southwell. Fourth on both occasions, the fact he is picked shows just how weak this contest is, and it would be no surprise if he failed to deliver. However, we shall stick with him ahead of Diva Dancer who has a string of duck-eggs but who has the help of Mark Howard who is making a name for himself this season. Eddies Jewel has a break to overcome, and River of Fire just has one or two placed efforts to offer encouragement. In a very uninspiring affair, Littleton Valar is selected more in hope than optimism.