La Valetta finished down the field on her latest outing at Lyon La Soie in early January, but there are plenty of reasons to expect a better showing at the course this afternoon (4.02pm) and she is worth chancing at a big price.

She has run just three times for Conny Whitfield, a German-based trainer who runs most of her string in France and does well with limited resources.  A winner in the provinces last summer for her previous connections, La Valetta finished a promising fourth in a claimer here in December on her second start for the yard, form that would give her a big shout in this.

I am happy to excuse the handicap defeat last time, as she was in the higher division and had a very wide trip throughout.  Now top weight in a lower grade, she is on a career-low mark, has a better draw and Tony Piccone, who has a good record for the yard, is booked to ride.

Whitfield has her string in fine form, with two winners and two seconds from her last five runners.  Both winners were coming back from a break having finished unplaced on their previous start, and the fact this is her only runner this evening suggests La Valetta is fit enough to run her race.

4.02pm Lyon – 1pt win La Valetta @ 22-1 (most firms, 25-1 in places)