led, hesitated and headed 2nd, tracked leaders, not fluent and reminders 12th, ridden and struggling from 5 out, tailed off
close up, chased leading pair 14th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in rear, outpaced 12th, behind when pulled up 5 out
led 2nd, headed next, tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 2 out, driven to lead towards finish
keen early, tracked leaders, led 3rd, ridden and pressed from 2 out, driven and headed towards finish
FR HUMPHREY beat two rivals in a novices' hurdle at Fontwell before just failing to catch Vendredi Trois over this trip at Kempton. He has a 4lb pull in the weights which should be enough to see a form reversal. Dandridge is a consistent sort but is on a very long losing run as is Valadom, who doesn't get much respite from the assessor. Ultimatum Du Roy could win this if close to his best but he's only had one run in two years so could just need this while Walter Wagtain was beaten a very long way at Worcester last time.
Valadom (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Led, reached for 3rd, headed after 6th, in front again 11th until headed and reminders after 5 out, chased leader, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 23l behind Irish Octave (10-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (3) gd in May.
Dandridge 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, lost place approaching 6th, headway when not fluent 8th, soon lost place again, closed before 4 out, no impression 3 out, went 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 8 1/4l behind Cap St Vincent (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge on outside before 3 out, led narrowly before next, kept on under pressure flat, all out near finish, just held on, won at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Fr Humphrey (10-13) by ns, 7 ran.
Ultimatum Du Roy (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, pushed along in 4th after 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Minella For Me (12-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Fr Humphrey (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Led, headed when blundered 7th, tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, one pace next, switched outside and rallied before last, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 7, shd behind Vendredi Trois (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Water Wagtail 18-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, jumped left and not fluent 6th, jumped left and lost place next, well behind 12th, 10th of 13, dist behind Phoenix Rock (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
