chased leader, mistake 7th, led 8th, headed 2 out, nearly took wrong course shortly after, soon beaten, 9 lengths adrift when fell last
led to 8th, soon weakened, poor 4th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up, headway 4th, challenged 8th, led 2 out, 9 lengths ahead, in total control when left well clear last
held up, headway 4th, outpaced 8th, weakened 2 out, left moderate 2nd last
held up, mistake 2nd, losing touch when blundered 4th, tailed off when mistake 7th, left poor 3rd last
Decent ground like this suits Valley Ride, and David Arbuthnot's gelding may have been found a good opportunity to get his chasing career off to a winning start, while Down's Folly and Scotland Yard look best of the rest. The selection has plenty in hand on these on his hurdling abilities and was contesting Listed races in that sphere last year. Of course, that does not always translate to chasing, but with nothing standing out off the page on chase form so far we will take a chance on him. Down's Folly has plenty of experience in context here but keeps finding on or two too good. This trip is ideal and the ground will suit, so he can go well again and if the selection does not fire then it could be his day. Scotland Yard was a little unlucky when slipping last time but trip and ground suit and that Leicester outing may actually just have put him right for this, so he is respected. Sterenzelt will have to improve on what we have seen to take a hand in the finish and Valley Ride is taken to score.
Down's Folly (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, hampered 10th, chased winner 4 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Nikola (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Ellies Horse (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, blundered badly 2nd, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Burren Legend (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Scotland Yard (UAE) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, badly bumped next and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Majorca (11-0) at Leicester 2m nov chs (4) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Sternenzelt (GER) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, progress to dispute close 2nd when left 2nd, jumped left, stumbled on landing last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Daryal (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd.
Astral Dram 33-1 (10-7) Close up, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Sprinkler (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
Valley Ride (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, hit 9th, lost place after 10th, in rear when badly hampered 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Albertas Run (10-4) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
