tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on but soon held by winner
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
chased leaders until after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
took keen hold, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 5th, shaken up to lead 2 out, soon clear, comfortably
mid-division, not fluent 3 out, effort before next, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, steady progress on outer after 3 out, stayed on from next, not reach leaders
soon tracking leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed when not much room 2 out, stayed on same pace
Hector's Choice could struggle to concede weight to the likes of Riverside Theatre and AL AMAAN. Riverside Theatre won his bumper here and Nicky Henderson is enjoying such a fine season and the King's Theatre gelding should improve on the form of his hurdling debut at Newbury so he must be feared. That run was not a bad effort in itself as the winner, Copper Bleu, is distinctly useful and the form of his efforts in bumpers stacks up well. The main concern would be that his wins have come on good ground but he appeared to handle cut well enough when an eight length third to Diamond Harry at Newbury. Hector's Choice began his season with a couple of decent efforts but his form has rather flattened out and he has something to prove after a lacklustre effort at Taunton but he shouldn't be written off yet as he still holds some decent entries and has time on his side. Phoenix Ice was rated as high as ninety two on the Flat in Ireland and is an interesting contender although his stamina is far from guaranteed; the market may provide the best guide to his chances of making a winning start to his hurdling career. Alflora Dora showed ability on debut but has disappointed in two subsequent runs in bumpers and will need to improve for the switch to hurdling to make an impact but it's reasonable to expect a bold display from Al Amaan. He represents top connections, was a winner for John Hammond in France, sold for 140,000 guineas and Al Amaan should go close at the first time of asking.
Hector's Choice (FR) 6-4 (11-8) Led, hit 6th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, hit last, one pace flat, 4th of 13, 9l behind King's Forest (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Balableu (FR) 8-1 (12-5) Never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 30l behind Gentleman Anshan (11-12) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Dec.
Dehanom 100-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden 5th, weakened 2 out, held on, 6th of 11, well behind Pepite De Soleil (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Farmers Cross (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 47l behind Quartz de Thaix (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, losing touch 4th, mistake 2 out, 19th of 21, well behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Marchand D'argent (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 30l behind King's Forest (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Owlsley 100-1 (11-0) Held up, mistakes 3rd, never on terms, 11th of 21, well behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Peacefull Waters (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division when fell at the 2nd in race won by Pepite De Soleil (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 11 ran.
Phoenix Ice (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Dwelt, towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 14, 6l behind Slam Dunk (9-9) at Dundalk 7f hcp 0-100 pol in Oct (Flat).
Riverside Theatre 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and effort when blundered 2 out, ran on again from last, 2nd of 16, 14l behind Copper Bleu (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Alflora Dora 5-1 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, one pace final 3f, 4th of 9, 21l behind Kentucky Sky (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Allfortara (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened after, 7th of 11, 24l behind Shenanigan (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Tecktal (FR) 33-1 (9-5) Steadied start, settled towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, not reached leaders, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Imperium (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (Flat).
Al Amaan (9-5) In touch, effort when impeded over 1f out, 9th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Hekatompylos (9-3) at Longchamp 1m 7f gd in Sept (Flat).
Rockjumper 9-2 (10-2) In touch and keen, headway 3 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Satindra (11-6) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 21l behind Ruby Crown (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs.
