made all, driven from 8th, stayed on strongly after last
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, weakened 5 out
in touch, pushed along after 6th, driven to challenge 4 out, chased winner after next, no extra flat
reluctant to race, behind, reminders 5th, weakened 6th, pulled up 4 out
tracked leader, under pressure before 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, blundered 8th, soon ridden to challenge, mistake 4 out, soon no impression
Kie is down a couple of pounds for two below-par efforts while Hector's Choice will surely find this easier than the valuable handicap chase he contested at Punchestown last time. He could well be the one but this is Peter Bowen's time of year and now that FOREVER MY FRIEND has returned to winning ways with a course and distance success 12 days ago, he could well take some beating on this follow-up venture. Lost Legend is the likely market leader and should go well but it was only a modest three-runner race he landed last time and may be sent off here at a no-value price.
Kie (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) With leader, blundered badly 2nd, soon lost place, outpaced from 5 out, went poor 4th from 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 29l behind Vulcanite (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Hector's Choice (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, improved to 2nd before halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra 2 out, 7th of 15, 12l behind Orpheus Valley (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs in Apr.
Lost Legend (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, shaken up after 5th, reminder next, went 12 lenghts 2nd 10th, jumped right when closing 3 out, jumped right last, led flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in May beating Hayjack (11-5) by 5l, 3 ran.
Gallox Bridge 9-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent and headed 2nd, mistake and lost place 7th, mistake next, well beaten 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Zarzal (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Hi Note 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, struggling 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Dolatulo (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Dec.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led and jumped right 2 out and last, hung right flat, soon wandered, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Veloce (11-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
