in touch, every chance when fell 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, challenge approaching last, driven and weakened flat
in touch, every chance when fell 2 out
tracked leader, challenge approaching last, kept on flat, not pace of winner
prominent, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, driven out flat
held up, lost place approaching 7th, pulled up before next
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden along when brought down 2 out
in rear, lost place 10th, continued tailed off
held up, lost place 3 out, hampered 2 out, continued at own speed
If there's to be another Iris's Gift or Ollie Magern in this field then in all likelihood it will be Strong Rebel but his lack of hurdling experience means that we'll side with VALERIUS. Strong Rebel won his sole start in an Irish point and was one of several well backed runners in a Perth bumper. He justified the support by a nose and is an interesting prospect with this test likely to see him in a better light but it's hard to be confident about his chances on that evidence alone. Paddy Brennan overlooks Diablo whilst Arnold Layne may be out to enjoy a confidence boosting pipe-opener. Simondium is weighted to reverse Newton Abbot's August form with Indian Pipe Dream but the latter appeals as being the more straightforward individual and has made rapid strides. Cullahill has the look of an out and out stayer and could be one to keep an eye on at the right level this season but I'm not sure that this is it so we're left with Valerius. Another fine advertisement for the skills of Gordon Elliot, this gelding has gone from strength to strength since being fitted with a tongue strap and cheekpieces. He has his limitations but he stays and jumps well and that may be enough for Valerius to score here.
Cullahill (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge last, led towards finish, won at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Delayed Approach (10-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 7th, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden and kept on well from last, won at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug beating Simondiun (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Simondiun 7-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, always held by winner, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug.
Valerius (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, driven to lead when hit next, soon edged left, clear last, pushed out, easily, won at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Sept beating Oshkosh (10-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Diablo (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked clear leader, headway to lead 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Sept beating Prosecco (11-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Another Conker 50-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place from 3rd, tailed off 5th, mistake 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Zizou (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 17th, weakened 18th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Himalayan Trail (9-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Strong Rebel (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, just held on, won at Perth 2m nhf (6) gs in Sept beating Moscow Catch (10-11) by a ns, 14 ran.
Roseville (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, not fluent 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ingratitude (11-3) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd, 15 ran.
Sterling Moll 100-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, every chance approaching 2 out, beaten before last, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Lets Get Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
