held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
in touch in 4th, went 2nd before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, reminders 2nd, in rear from 3rd, never dangerous, pulled up
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace
led to 4th, chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on
held up mid-division on outer, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, led 4th, clear before last, kept on strongly, eased towards finish
in rear, pushed along after 5th, never dangerous, pulled up
Horsted Valley was much improved in the spring when given a true test of stamina, winning at Exeter in April and following up at Fontwell in May. He's likely to make further progress this season while Minella Hero is also on a hat-trick after dead-heating at Wetherby in May and scoring by 20 lengths at Hexham in June. COOPER'S FRIEND (NAP) may have a fitness advantage, however, having landed the odds in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month. He's already won over 3m between the flags so the extra yardage won't be a problem and he may have got in lightly here. Omid stays well and is only 5lb higher than when scoring at Sedgefield while Madam Lilibet is a course and distance winner who is fit from the Flat so can't be ignored.
Minella Hero (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Danehills Well (10-7) by 20l, 8 ran.
Cooper's Friend (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Jumped right at times, made all, driven and stayed on flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Sep beating Monbeg Gold (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Horsted Valley 2-1fav (11-6) Tracke dleading trio, reminders before 8th, went 3rd and hit next, driven after 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, driven after 2 out, upsides last, led run-in, kept on well, won at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (4) gd in May beating Mighty Mobb (11-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Madam Lilibet (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) In rear, pushed along over 5f out, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 7l behind Medicine Hat (9-0) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Simarthur 5-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along 10th, weakened from 5 out, tailed off 2 out, pulled up before last, at Hexham 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Omid 11-2 (11-12) Disputed lead until left in lead after 10th, made rest, ridden and edged right before last, kept on well flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Derryfadda (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Presented (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led from 1st, headed before 3rd, not fluent 11th, challenged next, ridden before 4 out, one pace 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 16 3/4l behind Feast Of Fire (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Maggie Blue (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, in touch, lost place 4 out, behind from next, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Binowagh Bay (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Master Murphy (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, pulled up after 13th, at Hexham 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
