held up in touch, closed to track leaders 6th, chased winner under pressure after 3 out, tried to close last, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led soon after 3 out, blundered and rider lost irons 2 out, driven out flat
held up, weakened before 3 out, soon eased
always rear, hit 5th, soon tailed off
led to soon after 3 out, soon weakened, no chance when badly hampered last
chased leader to after 4th, mistake under pressure and weakened after 6th, hit 2 out, left poor 3rd last
held up, stayed on to take 3rd 2 out, one pace when fell heavily last
It is a toss-up between Alrafid and Valley Ride, with the vote going to the latter, and the four-year-old Great Man gets a mention as the dark horse. The latter hails from the stable of Noel Chance and is not exactly highly-tried for his debut after being purchased from the Aga Khan. He had some ability on the Flat in France, and if fit enough can trouble the principals. However, it does look a straight shoot-out between the other two market leaders, with preference for Valley Ride. Colin Tinkler's charge progressed from winning a Ludlow bumper to lowering the colours of the odds-on Von Origny on his hurdling bow at Huntingdon last time. There was a lot to like about his resolution that day, and it will be a surprise if he does not make up into a decent chaser one day. Alrafid has far more experience than the selection, having gained a couple of wins on the Flat in the past as well as scoring at Taunton In October. He was second to Far Pavilions in a much better race than this at Musselburgh, but he will not have his fast conditions today and is worth opposing. We intend to do that with Valley Ride.
Alrafid (IRE) 9-2jt-fav Mid-division, ridden 3 out and chased leaders, kept on from last, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Far Pavilions at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb.
Valley Ride (IRE) 5-2 Keen in touch, effort to lead 2 out, ran on flat, eased near finish, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (E) sft beating Von Origny by 3l, 6 ran.
Bravura 40-1 Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 4th of 13, 15l behind Be Fair at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in May '03.
Captain Cloudy 66-1 Always towards rear, 7th of 13, well behind Napolitain at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Mac's Elan 100-1 Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Jair Ohmsford at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft.
Paula Lane 33-1 Stumbled 1st, held up and behind, some headway 5th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 22, well behind Emanic at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec '03.
Great Man (FR) Never dangerous, 6th of 10, 4l behind Danaw at Lyon Parilly 1m 4f hcp sft in Jun (Flat).
Magnesium (USA) 20-1 Keen hold, steadied rear, headway approaching 2 out, shaken up and stayed on between last 2, no impression run-in, 5th of 16, 8l behind Briareus at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs.
