held up, headway approaching 13th, chased leader and pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and beaten approaching last
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, one pace when jumped left and not fluent last
prominent, took closer order 11th, weakened from 14th
made most until headed approaching and mistake 4 out, soon weakened
with leader, pushed along approaching 13th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
in rear, reminder after 2nd and again approaching 6th, struggling when blundered badly 13th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, clear between last 2
chased leaders, hit 10th, weakened after next, pulled up before 13th
Nonrunner
The course form of Valerius makes for impressive reading but this Novice Chase should be played out between AGGIE'S LAD and No Panic with the former getting the verdict. The pick is chasing a hat-trick after following up a cosy success at Fairyhouse by destroying a Novice field at Killarney last time on quick ground. Though both those came over shorter trips this extra test of stamina is no problem for this Irish raider. Closely rated to the selection No Panic, who is also coming here after recent success having just scored in similar conditions at Hereford last time out and while on the pick of his hurdles form he should beat the selection he looks to have something to find now chasing. Valerius has lost just once in four starts at this venue but all of those runs came over timber. His first effort over fences on his last appearance was solid but it seems he has plenty to do to win here. Andrew Turnell's Shannon Springs has no problem with the trip and ground here and could challenge here after victory last time but most of the positive vibes come from the mount of Tony McCoy Aggie's Lad.
Aggie's lad (IRE) 8-11fav (11-10) Raced 3rd early, 2nd from 5th, led travelling easily 3 out, soon clear, stayed on well, not extended, won at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gf in May beating The Gloves Are Off (11-4) by dis, 7 ran.
No Panic (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leader 4f out, every chance approaching 2f out, led before last, hard driven and held on well, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) gf in Jun beating Sandhurst (11-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Carrick Dhu (IRE) 15-8 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 4 out, jumped big and hard pressed next, clear when went right last, pushed out flat, won at Perth 3m hdl (4) gf in May '08 beating Cardinal Spirit (11-6) by 7l, 5 ran.
Devons Boy (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Mid div, eff to mod 5th when v slow 2out, v tired & pu, in a race won by Barnaslingan Lane (12-0) at Necarne 3m ire ptp in May, 14 ran.
Ellandshe (IRE) 300-1 (10-5) Slowly away, always behind, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Flemross (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov stks (4) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Leading Pearl (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Prominent to 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Take The Stand (12-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
Valerius (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, 4th approaching straight, soon ridden in 3rd, dropped to 4th again and kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 16, 14l behind Noble Prize (11-12) at Limerick 3m beg chs gd in Jun.
Inisheer (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Pr & ld, rdn to 3l ld 2out, hdd bef last, no ex late, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Therangersdaughter (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp in Jun.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 13-8 (10-11) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 4th, went 2nd 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on well flat, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gs in Jun beating Pacha D'Oudairies (10-11) by 4l, 9 ran.
Brocks Brae (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Refused to race, in a race won by Pintown Cuckoo (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp in May, 18 ran.
