prominent, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leader 5th to 15th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
led 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
reluctant to race, soon recovered, hit 6th, always towards rear, lost touch 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 2nd, prominent, went 2nd 15th, every chance 3 out, weakened flat
prominent, ridden after 13th, not fluent and outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on
held up, mistake 10th, headway 12th, led 3 out, driven out
held up, mistake 15th, soon struggling, no chance when pecked 2 out
behind until pulled up before 10th
A wide-open affair may go to Usk Valley ahead of Regal Vision, Mensch and Team Captain to name but three. Nothing stands out here but Usk Valley has shown enough on his two latest starts to warrant a bit of support. Pat Chaming's nine-year-old has not had a great deal of experience over fences, but having won in selling company over hurdles the time before last, stayed on well over a shorter trip than today's when a three-length second to Khaladjistan at Worcester last month. He is not badly handicapped, will like the ground and has a decent young jockey on board, so is a sporting selection. Regal Vision will have conditions in his favour as well and is coming down the weights slowly. He is still far better treated over fences than hurdles and merits respect along with Mensch, a prolific point winner in Wales who opened his account under rules when scoring over track and trip 12 days ago. With the same trainer-jockey combination having lifted this event last year, he should not be left out of calculations and nor should Team captain, another course and distance winner, although the handicapper will do him no favours. The same comment applies to Dragon King, and in a hard one to call, only a tentative vote goes to Usk Valley.
