held up, under pressure 3f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, driven to challenge 3f out, led 2f out, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely
behind, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
held up, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 3f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly, not reached winner
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon no impression
pulled hard and prominent, lost place 3f out
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden and rallied, weakened close home
always behind
Paul Nicholls has chances with runners in each of the previous six races and can take the last with dual Irish point-to-point winner VALENTINE VIC on his rules debut with the main dangers rated as Robain and Pride In Battle. Alan King's gelding lacks any racing experience but is bred to be useful and the stable's runners are in good form right now so he has to be respected for a yard that does well with their runners in this grade. Bob Buckler's John's Gift has the benefit of experience having had three starts in bumpers but he probably needs to improve to win this, while Treyarnon Bay is probably best watched first time out for the Alners. Anything trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies in a bumper has to be respected and Plettenburg is no exception, while Robain has to be of interest first time up for Philip Hobbs. Valentine Vic makes plenty of appeal on Irish point form though and looks the one to beat.
Bernie The Banker 12-1 (11-7) Bhnd til pu aft 10, in a race won by Watch And Praey (10-7) at Trebudannon 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Colonna Lecca (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Fell 5th, in a race won by Purrykitten (12-0) at Stradbally 3m ire ptp gd in May, 10 ran.
John's Gift 16-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, under pressure 6f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 15, 34l behind Volador (11-3) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Johnny Mullen (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw twrds rr, 11th at 7th, fair 7th bef 3out, no impr up bef 2out, ko onepcd, 5th of 15, 10l behind Monseville (12-0) at Kinsale 3m ire ptp gd in May.
Not Right Now (IRE) Lear Spear gelding out of Dead Right Too.
Plettenburg (IRE) Bach gelding out of Dawn Pageant.
Pride In Battle (IRE) Chevalier gelding out of Afasara.
Robain (FR) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Landaise.
Treyarnon Bay Karinga Bay gelding out of Shuil Do.
Valentine Vic (IRE) 4-5 (12-0) Ld/disp, ld from 3out, went 5l clr appr last, row, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating A Certain Gent (12-0) by 8l, 10 ran.
Nobbys Girl 150-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden and weakened before halfway, pulled up over 4f out, in a race won by Gilwen Glory (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mrs N H flat (5) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
