chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd
prominent until weakened after 4 out
not fluent, took keen hold, in touch, mistake 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, steady headway from 4 out when not fluent, moderate 3rd and mistake 2 out, weakened
close up, went 2nd and not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, pushed clear flat
led to 2nd, stayed close up until weakened after 4 out
pulled hard, led 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
always behind
always in rear, tailed off 4 out
held up in rear, stayed on after 3 out, went moderate 3rd last
Song Of Vala looks to have an outstanding chance here and is taken to beat Bauhaus, The Chequered Lady and Stock Exchange. The selection has been found an easier opportunity than when a beaten favourite in novices' company at Wetherby last time out, while the drop back in trip will probably help. He jumps well and on wht he has achieved, he should be good enough to break his duck. If there are any mishaps then Bauhaus could take advantage. Richard Phillips' five-year-old won a Tramore flat race in 2004, and ran creditably over hurdles on his only two subsequent starts. If he is fit enough then he wil be thereabouts. The Chequered Lady will relish conditions, but has a fair bit to find with the other pair, while Stock Exchange will start improving soon for his shrewd connections, but this may still be too early in his career to win, and Song Of Vala remains our choice.
Bauhaus (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) With leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Siberian Highness (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Berkeley Court 28-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 49l behind Princelet (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Hurricane Coast 150-1 (10-9) In rear when mistake 4th, soon tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Chiaro (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Song of Vala 11-8fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, hit last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Guerilla (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Viennchee Run 150-1 (10-7) pulled up 3 out in race won by Estate (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 15 ran.
Stock Exchange (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Never fluent, soon behind, hung badly right on bend after 4th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Election Seeker (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (D) gf in Aug, 10 ran.
The Chequered Lady 25-1 (10-12) Chased leadings, keeping on one pace when left 2nd hampered and nearly unseated rider last, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Screen Test (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Mid Sussex Spirit 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 18, 32l behind Surface To Air (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.