in touch, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, no impression
behind, no chance when hampered over 2f out
tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden well clear final furlong, driven out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, one pace
started slowly, mid-division halfway, ridden and headway 3f out, no impression over 1f out
in touch, weakened and losing place when hampered over 2f out, tailed off
behind, effort on outside and stayed on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders until no extra well over 1f out
in touch, ridden and outpaced final 2f
held up, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken
tracked leader to over 3f out, weakened rapidly
soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Inspector Hector looks to have a favourable mark for his handicap debut, and may just provide some value in a trappy affair; Pont Neuf, Sailing Through and Cill Droichead are also on the shortlist. Michael Blanshard's gelding cut little ice when tailed off at Windsor last time, but had earlier run well when fourth behind Surdoue at Southwell in November. The first three have all won subsequently, so a mark 59 could be very generous and he is probably worth taking a chance with at what could be big odds. It is a wide open race, and Pont Neuf, who chased home the useful Binanti at Southwell in September, has claims if fit enough on her reappearance. Cill Droichead certainly has claims if reproducing the turn of foot he showed over course and distance in February, although he has been slightly disappointing in his two subsequent runs. However, he has had a short break and the handicapper has dropped him in the weights. Sailing Through was second to a useful sort in Chingkara over course and distance in maiden company, and was by no means disgraced when third in a Classified Stakes at Yarmouth after that, so seems sure to go close off a mark of just 68.
