chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led approaching 2 out, driven and stayed on well run-in
led to 2nd, led 3rd to next, led 3 out to approaching 2 out, outpaced approaching last, rallied well run-in
in touch, ridden to challenge when fell 2 out
raced wide, in touch, challenged 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, hit 3rd, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and hampered 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, led 2nd to 3rd, led 4th to 3 out, weakened before next
held up, challenged and hit 3 out, still every chance 2 out, chased winner after, weakened run-in
held up, headway on outside and every chance 2 out, rallied under pressure run-in, not reach winner
raced wide, in touch, challenged 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, well behind when pulled up approaching last
HECTOR'S CHOICE gets the vote here ahead of Ned Ludd and Enthusius. Rhys Flint is one of several jockeys able to claim an extra 3lb as he rides for his own yard and that may prove vital. A good second on his UK debut behind Shalone reads very well and there should be nothing of Shalone's ability in this field. Prideus has some solid form from last season and is not be underestimated on this return to action, Kerry's Girl should come on for a recent run, whilst Enthusius needs watching in the betting as he returns from an absence. Ned Ludd won convincingly at Fontwell but that was a below-par race, whilst Schiehallion has a very hit-and-miss record. Hector's Choice is our choice.
Hector's Choice (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, led after 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon edged left, weakened 2 out, left 2nd last, 2nd of 13, 14l behind Shalone (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
McGruders Cross (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led, headed 6th, soon weakened and well behind, last of 11, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Schiehallion (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led, clear 2nd, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by The Jazz Musician (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar, 15 ran.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd next, challenging when mistake last, led flat, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Sweetheart (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Benetwood (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, jumped slowly next, jumped left 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 46l behind Laoch Dubh (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Forthright 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 14, 15l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Prideus (IRE) 3-1fav (10-2) Mid-division, not jump well, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 29l behind Khachaturian (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Kerry's Girl (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and led briefly approaching 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Triple Bluff (9-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Enthusius 9-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 6th, left with leader 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun '07 beating Norman Beckett (10-8) by 4l, 9 ran.
