led, clear 3rd until 11th, headed before last bend, no impression on winner last
behind, not fluent 2nd or 9th, closed 10th, chasing leaders when fell 4 out
tracked leader 1st until 10th, 2nd again 2 out, led before last bend, clear last, easily
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, struggling 4 out, well beaten next
jumped right, held up, struggling in last 8th, behind 12th, pulled up before 4 out
2nd until not fluent 1st, chased leaders, 2nd again 10th until 2 out, no impression on winner after, edged left and pressed for 2nd flat
NonRunner
Un Prophete stayed on late at Ascot last time but continues to be hampered by a lack of fluency at his fences. Halo Moon hasn’t shown much this term but is a previous course and distance winner, as is the in-form Sideways. Kayf Blanco has proved hard to place but has ability but Valadom will need to set a fast pace as he stays much further. Volt Face and JURBY have both shown signs of life lately and the latter could be very well treated nowadays so gets another chance to show he has a future over the larger obstacles.
Valadom (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Led, clear 2nd until before last, headed and weakened flat, 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Treackle Tart (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Un Prophete (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Off the pace in 5th, mistakes 9th and next, pushed along closer before 11th, went 4th 4 out, closer when hit 2 out, kept on towards finish, almost snatched 2nd, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Blue Flight (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Kayf Blanco 11-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leaders 2 out, never a threat, 4th of 8, 6l behind Didero Vallis (11-12) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Halo Moon 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 16th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 17, 35l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-3) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Jurby 10-1 (10-11) Chased leading trio until lost place 7th, last pair, not fluent 11th (water), headway approaching 2 out, plugged on, 4th of 6, 5 1/2l behind Dell Oro (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Sideways (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 16th, led before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Chase The Wind (11-9) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Volt Face (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Raced wide prominent, led 4th, headed 6th, led again 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Compadre (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
