held up in rear, fell 8th
held up towards rear, not that fluent, headway before 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before last
mid-division, headway 9th, led before final bend, clear approaching last, stayed on well
chased leader until 3rd, mistake 7th and when struggling 9th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after 2 out
mid-division, closed when not fluent 4th, slow 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon pulled up
led, ridden and headed before final bend, lost 2nd before last, no extra
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 2 out, went 2nd again before last, no impression on winner
NonRunner
Fitness shouldn’t be an issue for Valkenburg, who had a couple of runs on the all-weather last month. But this is a race that is probably more competitive than first appears. Simply Mani could figure if on a going day and likewise Oksana. Evita Du Mesnil has been lightly raced while Chill In The Wood doesn’t have many miles on the clock and won in September following an absence. FARMER BOY may have benefited from a break more than most having been dropped a further 4lb since last in action. He placed over 3m at Perth last year so it’s worth taking a chance on his stamina.
Oksana 14-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, never threatened, 7th of 12, 22 3/4l behind Western Rules (12-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Farmer Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Led into start, held up, headway 4 out, ridden to track leaders 2 out, faded flat, 6th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Donald Dux (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Evita Du Mesnil (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, driven and outpaced after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders before next, never on terms, weakened last, 6th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Floral Queen (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Chill In The Wood 8-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, blundered 12th, went 4th last, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Chase The Wind (12-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Border Victor 7-1 (11-11) With leaders, driven and outpaced by front pair before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 4th of 8, dist behind Wind Of Hope (11-2) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Valkenburg 15-2 (9-7) Mid-division on outside, weakened inside final 3f, 8th of 12, 21 3/4l behind Red Secret (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Jack Snipe 1-5fav (12-5) (cp) made all; drew clr 3 out; easy, won at Chipley Park 3m Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Jabbea (12-5) by 20l, 2 ran.
Simply Mani 11-2 (11-0) Prominent until pushed along in modest 4th after 14th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 3 out, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Quivvy Lough (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
