in touch, headway 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, beaten when blundered badly 2 out, not recover
led, jumped right 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up last, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon led, wandered approaching last, blundered last, not recover flat
chased leader, hampered 4th, lost touch 8th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
towards rear, headway 7th, challenged after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed, rallied and led last, all out flat
towards rear, mistake 4th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on one paced to go 3rd after 2 out
The Big Canadian is preferred here to Nodforms Victoria and Picts Hill. The selection travelled well for a long way at Bangor before unseating his rider last time but we saw enough evidence that day to suggest that he can land this event granted a clear round. Nodforms Victoria was a little disappointing last time when second behind Bubbs at Exeter and although he has ability he is far from fluent over the obstacles and can't be backed with any confidence. Picts Hill has got some fair bumper form but he was disappointing in a maiden hurdle last time and he may be seen to better effect when he goes handicapping. Valuta won well last time and fast ground is clearly what he needs to be seen at his best. He could be a good each-way bet tonight, but The Big Canadian looks a more solid alternative and is taken to score.
Valuta (USA) 25-1 (10-9) Always prominent, ridden 2 out, all out to lead close home, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Swift Half (11-2) by a hd, 16 ran.
Bay Of Kinsale (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led and keen, hit 9th, headed 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Keenan's Future (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chs (3) gd in Apr.
Call Butterfly (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Nodforms Victoria (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd briefly approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no extra, went moderate 2nd flat, 2nd of 5, 18l behind Bubbs (10-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Picts Hill 25-1 (11-0) Held up, headway from 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 26l behind Barbers Shop (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Always in rear, pecked badly and unseated rider at the last in race won by Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
The Big Canadian (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 6th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, 2 lengths down when jinked badly right and unseated rider at the last in race won by Spirit of New York (11-12) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Being There 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 2nd, weakened after 4th, 11th of 12, well behind Loita Hills (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
