tracked leader until 2nd, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 8th, went left 17th, hit next and lost 2nd outpaced 3 out, no chance after, hit next
tracked leaders out wide, pushed along and went 2nd 3 out, stayed on went right last, lost 2nd run-in, plugged on towards finish
jumped left at times, close 3rd, led narrowly 5th, hit 7th, headed after 9th, lost place 12th, no chance after, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in rear, pushed along and struggling after 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 17th
led until after 4th, chased leader, dropped to 3rd at 8th, remained handy, led again after next, headed after 4 out, hit 3 out and lost 2nd, went 2nd again and stayed on run-in, not pace to challenge
held up in 5th, pecked 10th, headway on inside tracking leaders 11th, led after 4 out, ridden out
Rolling Dylan and Step Back are both previous course and distance winners but in the veteran stage now. Le Breuil isn’t getting any younger either but he has won twice at Huntingdon this year. I See You Well has a good strike-rate but he’s not sparkled in two runs since returning from a break while Rocco also has a bit to prove at present. Will Biddick and the unexposed VALSHEDA should be a winning combination in a race like this with the weights compacted.
Valsheda Evensfav (11-6) Pressed leader, led 2nd, headed narrowly 8th, upsides 9th, tracked leader 10th, upsides 11th, led 12th, pushed a length clear when awkward 4 out, still ahead 3 out, joined last, stayed on strongly to assert flat, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Jaytee (10-7) by 1l, 4 ran.
Le Breuil (FR) 8-13fav (12-0) Close up in rear, tracked leaders 8th, led soon after 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, comfortable, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Ballinslea Bridge (10-11) by 9l, 4 ran.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 11-4 (12-8) Several slow jumps, made most until 3 out, rider soon dropped whip, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 24 3/4l behind Twig (12-4) at Worcester 2m 7f (6) gd in May.
Rocco (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, never a factor, 7th of 11, 31 3/4l behind Frodon (12-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (1) gf in Nov.
Step Back (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Led and went clear after 2nd, hit 4 out and reduced lead, headed after next, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened before the last, 4th of 15, 24 1/2l behind Hewick (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
I See You Well (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Held up off the pace in rear, ridden along 4 out (usual 5 out), kept on from 2 out, never near to challenge, 4th of 11, 29 1/4l behind Slipway (11-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
