held up, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon hung right, headed last, not quicken
led to 7th, led again after 9th until 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out
chased leader, mistake 1st, led 7th until after 9th, mistake 4 out, led briefly 3 out, weakening when mistake last
took keen hold in rear, hit 9th, switched left and headway approaching 2 out, led last, readily
always prominent, every chance 3 out, stayed on flat
held up, headway on inside approaching 4 out, switched left approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
took keen hold in touch, weakened after 3 out
Philip Hobbs has wasted no time in putting Monticelli over the larger obstacles and the five-year-old has to be respected on his chasing bow but lack of a recent run is of concern and preference is for Valance, who gets the vote over The Glen. The selection had comparable form to the pick of these over hurdles and is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over fences. Charlie Egerton's gelding comes here fit from the flat and has the assistance of Tony McCoy in the saddle. Goblin a dual winner over hurdles last term has claims if fit enough on his return and is another to consider along with the six-year-old Conroy, who is relatively lightly raced. Robber Red has been point-to-pointing since last being seen under rules but probably lacks the class of one or two of his rivals and of more interest is Richard Lee's The Glen who comes here with the benefit of recent form over the larger obstacles. Valance holds solid claims on all hurdling form and, provided that he jumps well enough, may be too classy for his rivals.
Conroy 20-1 (10-4) Held up, headway on outside approaching 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 15, 25l behind Darrias (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in May.
Milligan (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, lost place from 4th, soon behind, 10th of 11, 24l behind Screenplay (10-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Sept.
Monticelli (GER) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and hit next, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Cyborg De Sou (10-7) at Perth 2m nov chs (D) gd in Sept.
Robber Red 4-1 (12-0) 3rd of 5, 35l behind Rhythm King (12-7) at Charing 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 6th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind Kingkohler (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Sept.
The Glen 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden when mistake 2 out, ran on flat, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Tonic Du Charmil (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (D) gf in Sept.
Goblin 9-4fav (10-9) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 11th of 14, 28l behind Another Dude (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Feb.
Valance (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, 41l behind Candarli (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Nov.
