mistake 1st, soon tracked leader, hit 6th, led soon after 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, soon driven, beaten when hit last
jumped poorly, soon in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before next
in rear, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
led soon after 1st, headed soon after 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
in touch, ridden 6th, weakened before next, tailed off
BENHEGO is preferred to Red Lancer and interesting Irish raider Buck Mulligan. Benhego is the type of horse that the Moores will place to advantage and they will be encouraged by his hurdling debut which saw him justify cramped odds. The form looks solid and this useful Flat handicapper should be hard to beat. Red Lancer has done well enough since being switched to hurdling late in his career and he should continue to progress; he does look to have a little to find with the selection however and is passed over. Buck Mulligan failed to build on the promise of his first two starts when beaten a long way at Kilbeggan in April and, whilst it's interesting to see him make this journey, he has plenty to find with the two main protagonists and we expect Benhego to score.
Red Lancer 9-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, hit last, edged right, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf beating Arniecoco (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 18 ran.
Benhego 4-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, tracked leaders and travelling well approaching 2 out, challenged on upsides last, driven and kept on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo hdl (4) gd beating Balzaccio (11-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Merlins Mate 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and lost touch 4th, blundered 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Nearby (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Obrigado (USA) 8-1 (9-8) Steadied start, steady headway on outside from over 3f out, held when edging left from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Wind Flow (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Dec (flat).
Buck Mulligan 6-1 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, 3rd after 5th, 5th and no extra after 3 out, 6th of 16, well behind Moonlight Sapphire (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f 4yo mdn hdl gs in Apr.
Holden Caulfield (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, never able to get on terms, 6th of 13, 27l behind Oddshoes (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Dawn Wind 66-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Rampant Ronnie (10-10) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Lough Beg (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Loup Du Saubouas (11-0) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Nov '06.
Tchang Goon (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 13th of 18, 47l behind You're The Top (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
