led, headed after 1st, left in lead 2nd, pressed 2 out, soon headed, kept on and no impression with winner
tracked leader until 4 out, soon reminders, one pace from 2 out
soon tracked leaders, chased leader from 4 out, challenged on bit 2 out, soon led, kept on strongly
tracked leaders after 2nd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, led after 1st, saddle slipped, pulled up before 2nd
Retro Valley won his first two races over hurdles at Market Rasen but was soon in trouble at Newton Abbot last time. Egmont arguably has his measure on collateral form but was easily brushed aside last time at Stratford, though still has the beating of Fortuna Glas. COOPER finally got off the mark over a mile on the Flat at Ripon last month. He stays further and looks the one to beat in this if his hurdling proves up to scratch.
Retro Valley (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Led 1st, headed 3 out, soon outpaced and ridden, no chance with front pair before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 23 1/4l behind Doubly Clever (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (3) gs in Aug.
Egmont 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced between last 2, modest 3rd when hit last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Leoncavallo (11-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Cooper 6-1fav (9-5) In touch, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, soon switched right, driven and ran on to lead close home, won at Ripon 1m hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Cornborough (9-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fortuna Glas (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up behind, lost touch 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 34 3/4l behind Leoncavallo (11-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Hey Bob (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Went left start, towards rear, weakened over 1f out, tailed off, last of 7, 24 1/4l behind Kyrenia Castle (9-0) at Redcar 1m stks (6) gf in Aug.
Well I Never Josr Algarhoud gelding out of Tour D'amour.
