dwelt, outpaced, ridden and stayed on to take 3rd post
slowly into stride, outpaced, kept on, never nearer
led, headed halfway, chased winner after, ridden and stayed on
prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led halfway, ridden out
close up, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, lost 3rd post
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final 2f
Valhillen has leading claims and gets the vote over Ballycroy Boy, Berrymead and Rub Of the Relic to name but a few. Quite a few trainers are double-handed here, plus there are five newcomers, so the market should be closely watched, but on the evidence so far, Valhillen must have a sound chance of coming out on top. The Mark Wallace-trained juvenile kept on really well to finish a close second on her Kempton debut last Monday, and although likely to be seen to better effect when put over six furlongs, should make her stamina count on this Fibresand surface. Ballycroy Boy was a beaten favourite at Musselburgh last time and will perhaps appreciate the return to this surface, but Berrymead showed good speed on her Beverley bow and might just be taken off her feet here. Valhillen should find the necessary improvement to open his account today.
Carrickmacross (IRE) Mull of Kintyre colt out of 6f-7f winner Lady Corduff.
Discanti (IRE) Distant Music colt out of an unraced mare.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 9l behind Group Therapy (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Ballycroy Boy (IRE) 10-3jt-fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 18l behind Primo Heights (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Valhillen 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, disputed lead and every chance inside final furlong, just outpaced by winner close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Rescue Me (8-12) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn (4) pol.
Lady Aviator Averti filly, half-sister to 7f-1m winner Casemate and winning sprinter Stanley Goodspeed.
Berrymead 40-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, soon mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 1l behind Artdeal (8-13) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Apr.
Don Picolo Bertolini colt out of an unraced mare.