tracked leaders, travelled strongly and ridden before 2 out, kept on but not reach winner
held up, made headway before 4 out, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, mistake at 5th fence, riden and outpaced after 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
led until 3rd fence, tracked leader and ridden before 2 out, weakened
held up, made headway after 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on but not reach winner
tracked leader and led at 3rd fence, ridden before 2 out and 3 legnths clear, kept on well after last and won going away
Boasting a record of 0-44, Hold Me Tight is clearly one to be wary of but would have a chance on his best form. Game In The Park is 0-16 but Outlaw Jack won over hurdles at Fontwell in June and has also scored between the flags. Air Hair Lair has been running well at Stratford but VALENTINE’S TURF was progressing nicely over the smaller obstacles in the spring and his new trainer will have given him plenty of schooling ahead of his chasing bow.
Air Hair Lair (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, closed 3rd, not fluent 4th, chased winner 6th, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Chapati (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Valentine's Turf (FR) 16-5 (10-13) Prominent, pushed before 3 out where narrow 2nd, ridden after 2 out, kept on gamely, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Wisecracker (10-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp (5) gs in May.
Outlaw Jack (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Mid-division on inside, pushed along briefly after 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, blundered next, no chance with winner and dropped to 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Decoration Of War (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Game In The Park (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, getting behind from 8th, well adrift 4 out, left very remote 3rd last, 3rd of 4, dist behind Presentandcounting (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f (3) gd in Sep.
Hold Me Tight (IRE) 17-2 (10-0) In rear, smooth headway on outside before 4 out, outpaced before ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Pens Man (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Pirate Sam 28-1 (10-7) In rear, almost unseated rider 1st, never a factor, 8th of 12, 33 1/4l behind Robin Des Mana (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
