keen in touch towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway to chase leaders next, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no threat to winner
tracked leaders, led and hit 3 out, clear next, eased flat, comfortable
raced wide held up in touch, lost touch 9th, behind next, pulled up 2 out
in touch in rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner before 2 out, keeping on same pace when hit last, lost 2nd flat
tracked leader until 6th, lost place 9th, weakened next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 3 out, soon weakened
set steady pace, hit 2nd, increased pace 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
DRUM VALLEY was beaten only a head at Aintree last month and this looks less competitive. He gets the nod ahead of Al Co, who can race off a lower mark back over timber and has the beating of Kaysersberg and Act Of Kalanisi. Greyfriars Dummer scored at this track last season and is 6lb higher for his return while Free To Dream has risen 13lb in the handicap since last winning, but is having only his second start for Venetia Williams today. Koultas King has won a novice event but struggled in a Class 3 race last time and this is tougher.
Al Co (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Mistake 1st, raced wide towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 16, 31l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-3) at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Free To Dream (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) With leaders, led after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, no extra when lost place last, 5th of 20, 9l behind Thomas Crapper (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
Greyfriars Drummer 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden and clear from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug '12 beating Great Value (11-7) by 5l, 11 ran.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway on outside before 3 out, stayed on same pace last, 6th of 20, 7l behind Trackmate (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Going Wrong 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place when hit 10th, outpaced 13th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Always Right (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) sft in Mar.
Kaysersberg (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 22, 9l behind Trackmate (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Koultas King (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd 4 out until before next where not fluent, driven along and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind Cannon Fodder (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Oct.
Drum Valley 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden before 3 out, went 2nd flat, pressed winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Crowning Jewel (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
