led until headed approaching 2 out, one pace and held when mistake last, no extra flat
always prominent, not fluent 3rd, joined leaders 2 out, every chance when mistake last, one pace flat
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway to track leaders from 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th and no chance when blundered last
mistake 2nd, held up in touch, headway to track leader from 3rd, led approaching 2 out, slight lead last, driven and ran on well flat
tracked leaders until lost place 6th, tailed off when blundered last
tracked leader to 3rd, jumped slowly and lost place 5th, tailed off 3 out
This is not the strongest of renewals, and it would be no surprise if Christian Von Der Recke were to make a successful raid with Little Valentine. So Sure and Earlsfield Raider appear best of the opposition. Little Valentine has had six starts on the Flat in Germany, resulting in one win, on sand. That is hardly enough to scare the pants off his rivals, but we all know by now that Mr Von Der Recke does not waste his visits here. With Tony McCoy in the plate, the three-year-old will be expected to perform. So Sure won a seller on his final start on the Flat at Nottingham for Pat Haslam, but has taken to the winter game well for John O'Shea, scoring at the first time of asking at Towcester, and finishing a fair second to Uncle Max at Ascot last time. The latter has since been beaten but there should not be too much between the pair here. Earlsfield Raider jumped well when winning over the course and distance, but was put in his place by the useful Tamarinbleu at Ascot. That form is quite good but he does have the penalty to shoulder. With that in mind, Little Valentine can pop in at the first time of asking under the champion.
