tracked leader, ridden after 5th, lost place after 3 out, weakened from next
led, driven and headed when stumbled 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression flat
held up, took closer order 3rd, hit next, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, driven clear flat
chased leaders, dropped rear 3rd, ridden after 5th, soon struggling, pulled up after 3 out
held up, headway and in touch 3rd, chased leading pair after 3 out, ridden next, no impression when not fluent last
HECTOR'S HOUSE is no superstar but good opposition is thin on the ground and he can see off newcomer Pacific Bay. Evan Williams' gelding has the benefit of three runs under his belt, including two second-placed finishes behind Riptide. Robert Thornton looks a good jockey booking for the horse, and whilst it is a worry that he has burst blood vessels before, he is narrowly preferred. Blushing Soul was far from disgraced in a better race than this on his hurdling bow at Wetherby; the winner of that race (Bocamix) looks smart and this gelding needs respect dropped in grade. Shropshire Gold was pulled up at Wetherby and looks modest, Dr Valentine was also pulled up in the race but he did show a semblance of ability on the flat, so of more interest is Pacific Bay. She has her first start for Donald McCain today and this Diktat filly was a winner at Beverley on the flat. This looks a good chance for Hector's House to get off the mark.
Blushing Soul (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 13, 21l behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Dr Valentine (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Hector's House 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear but in touch, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden, went left and hit last, kept on into 2nd run in, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Riptide (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Shropshire Gold 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders early, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Pacific Bay (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, headed over 1f out, edged right and weakened, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Kuanyao (8-9) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct (flat).