chased leaders until weakened, 7th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 3 out, held narrow advantage when fell 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, held when left 2nd 2 out
led until 6th, steadily weakened
mid-division, headway after 6th, effort after 3 out, held when left 3rd
tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened after 7th, behind and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway after 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division until blundered, unseated rider 6th
held up towards rear, headway 6th, challenging when left in lead 2 out, comfortably
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after next
held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakening when stumbled badly 3 out, pulled up before next
Valley Hall is on an upwards curve and is selected ahead of Sovietica and Lamanver Homerun, while Gaspara is one to note on her British debut. The last named makes her fist start for David Pipe since she arrived from France and is very much a long-term prospect. The four-year-old was highly tried over hurdles in her homeland but shaped encouragingly in good company. She is one to monitor as she adapts to racing in the UK and, as she follows a familiar path set out by the Pipe team; she looks a winner in the waiting. Lamanver Homerun handled heavy ground on her penultimate start, so should cope with the conditions. Her limitations were exposed at Wincanton a fortnight ago, though. And she now has improvement to find. Sovietica was in the process of running a nice race when she fell two-out at Wincanton (same race as Lamanver Homerun) and will be a big threat if that experience has not left any mental scars. The Stewart Pike-owned filly needs learn how to settle in her races but she would be dangerous if she is left with an easy lead today. Even so, there has been plenty to like about Valley Hall's efforts to date and this half-sister to Feathered Leader gets the nod on anticipated improvement as much as anything else.
Aristi (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3rd, every chance 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 13l behind Joli Classical (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Lamanver Homerun 14-1 (10-10) Prominent, hampered 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 41l behind Apollo Lady (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lunar Thyme 16-1 (10-2) In rear, struggling after 5f, tailed off from halfway, last of 16, well behind Owlesbury Dream (10-5) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Over The Flow 20-1 (10-9) In touch, led 2 out, hit last, caught final strides, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Saratogane (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Queen Boudicca 1-2fav (11-7) 2nd til hit wing & ran out in race won by Lago di Levico (12-0) at Trebudannon 3m ptp gf in May, 2 ran.
Sovietica (FR) 10-3 (10-10) Led, ridden approaching 2 out until fell 2 out in race won by Apollo Lady (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Theresa (DEN) Final Appearance mare out of Habibi.
Valley Hall (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Led 2nd, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind La Grande Villez (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
