chased leader, hit 3rd, weakened approaching 6th
in touch, ridden after 6th, soon beaten
held up, headway on inner after 5th, ridden after next, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened quickly and pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, blundered badly 5th, smooth headway after next, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, comfortably
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace after
held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, hit last, no impression
behind from 4th, tailed off
led, ridden clear approaching 6th, headed and mistake 2 out, kept on gamely but always held run-in
Martin Pipe's Royal Hector catches the eye here and gets the call ahead of Earlsfield Raider, Precious Mystery, Tin Symphony and Siena Star. Much as the selection has yet to race this season, he is unlikely to want for fitness, and holds a clear chance based on the best of his form of last season which, by the way, came over trips short of two-and-a-half miles. Earlsfield Raider has some decent juvenile hurdling form and if he can recapture something like that he would hold solid claims. He steps back in trip today from his latest outing, which he should appreciate. Alan King's Precious Mystery is another dropping back in trip and comes here fit from the Flat so don't rule out a good run from him, while Tin Symphony's form is solid, although he maybe lacks a couple of higher gears. However, he holds place claims, as does Siena Star, who has shown promise in just five hurdling starts, including here. Overall, though, the vote stays with Royal Hector.