close up on outside, mistake 5th, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, effort next, soon ridden, one pace, no impression flat
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
always behind, tailed off 3 out
raced keenly, held up mid-division, headway, in touch 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked winner, lost place 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression
jinked start, made all, driven, edged right approaching last, ridden, stayed on well flat
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Jau and Triggerman both have penalties to carry for earlier wins and may struggle to give weight away to VALENTINE VIC, who looks to have been found a suitable opportunity by Paul Nicholls to open his account. The son of Old Vic won both his starts in Irish point-to-points before making an encouraging racecourse debut when a close third on his rules debut for Nicholls in a Wincanton bumper; he is likely to improve for going over obstacles and gets the vote to make winning debut over timber today. Alan King's Little George ran well in all three starts in bumpers but disappointed on his hurdling debut at Aintree in May so may be best watched, although the yard have their runners in better form now. Colin Tizzard's Russian Song has been well held in all three starts in bumpers and is hard to recommend with a bigger threat likely to come from Jau. The son of Kayf Tara ran well in both starts in bumpers and was good value for his debut success over timber at Hereford last month. There is little to choose between him and Triggerman, who won a bumper when with Len Lungo and showed better form when successful on only his second start over hurdles for Philip Hobbs at Wincanton last time. Penalties may prevent either form being good enough to follow up those successes though and it may be worth siding with Valentine Vic on his hurdling debut.
Jau 7-2 (11-0) Mid division on outside, headway approaching 8th, challenging when mistake 3 out, soon led, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Quideo De Touzaine (10-11) by 10l, 11 ran.
Triggerman 5-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway after 3 out, went 2nd next, pressed leader soon after, upsides last, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Vico (10-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Bell Hill Lad 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, already weakened in 4th when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by The Minack (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Insured 5-2 (10-7) Went 2nd 5; chall 2 out; drvn ahd nr fin, won at Cothelstone 2m 4f ptp in Mar beating Ewar Finch (11-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Little George (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, not always fluent, raced keenly, pushed along after 5th, lost touch after 8th, 7th of 9, 44l behind Mayor Of Kilcock (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Russian Song (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, driven along from halfway, stayed on same pace final 3f, 4th of 15, 13l behind Knight In Purple (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Upham Atom 11-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 3rd, remained prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 40l behind Silver Kate (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Valentine Vic (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Led, headed 2f out, soon ridden and rallied, weakened close home, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind John's Gift (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Sweet Request 250-1 (10-2) Held up, stumbled 2nd, struggling after 4th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf.
