held up in rear, headway from 10th, chased leaders from after 3 out, stayed on same pace after next
close up, reminder after 9th, chased leading pair 11th, went 2nd 3 out, led and jumped right 2 out, in command when rider unbalanced and lost whip flat
fell 1st
tracked leader, led 6th, pressed from 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, effort 10th, under pressure next, weakened and jumped slowly 3 out
in touch, tracked leader 9th to 3 out, one pace under pressure before next
led until mistake and headed 6th, hit next, lost 2nd 9th, weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden and struggling 10th, tailed off
in touch until behind from 10th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Vallica seemed to show improved form when chasing home Jackson in a novices' hurdle at Hereford and a reproduction of that should suffice in a race where Mistified and Cannon Fire rate the main dangers. The selection had been running well in similar company prior to that latest effort and looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to get her head in front. Mistified faces no easy task giving weight away all round but the Seamus Mullins-trained gelding has solid claims on the evidence of form shown when chasing home Dunowen at Huntingdon in February. He rates a bigger threat than recent Fontwell fourth Manque Neuf. Cannon Fire has been waiting for the fast ground and has to be respected along with John Best's Charlie's Double but Vallica has an obvious chance following her latest effort and is taken to go one better today.
