with leader, led before 5th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed before 5th, blundered 5 out, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, headway before 3 out, blundered 3 out, kept on and held towards finish
towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 8th, tailed off
always behind
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed 3 out, no extra
behind, struggling and pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden after last, held on towards finish
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
The going was possibly too soft for Valseur Du Granval at Exeter last month and he is capable of better. Lillington has won three out of four this season and this tough competitor can’t be ignored but he meets another six-year-old in fine form in CAPELAND (NAP). The Nicholls’ runner has had the form of both recent victories at Wincanton franked and he was earlier second to Ladbrokes Trophy winner Sizing Tennessee at Fontwell. Hereford scorer Amoola Gold has bags of scope and shouldn’t be underestimated but this looks a big ask for the returning Beau Bay off top weight. Western Miller is better treated but it’s a while since he showed his best form.
Beau Bay (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 4th (water), blundered and unseated rider 7th, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
Western Miller (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 3rd, joined 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next, chased leading pair until weakened last, 5th of 6, 20l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Capeland (FR) 8-11fav (11-8) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led before next, pressed last, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gf in Nov beating Peppay Le Pugh (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Lillington (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Prominent, hampered 5th, led after 4 out, challenged after next, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Savello (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, close up 5th, outpaced 4 out, ridden after next, never on terms, 6th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Watcombe Heights (12-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Amoola Gold (GER) 11-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, challenged 4th, led before 7th, clear 3 out until before last, edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Brelan D'As (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Otter Moon 28-1 (11-8) Prominent, led 7th, headed 5 out, led and not fluent 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Awake At Midnight (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ballywood (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Eragon De Chanay (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Railroad Junkie (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Led, awkward landing 2nd, headed before 2 out, not pace of front pair last, last of 3, 3 1/4l behind Capeland (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gf in Nov.
