in touch, went 2nd at 7th, driven and hung left from 2 out, kept on but always held by winner
held up, headway 8th, went 4th after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
keen early, tracked leaders, hit 8th, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened
mid-division until after 8th, soon behind, pulled up run-in, dismounted
led until after 5th, chased winner until 7th, soon outpaced, went moderate 3rd 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, went 3rd after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
not always fluent, tracked leaders, went left 2nd, led after 5th, stayed on from 2 out, ridden out
held up in rear, pulled up before 5th, dismounted
Scotland Yard gets the vote in this competitive hurdle, Archduke Ferdinand and Primondo are two live danger. The selection contested a decent event at Ascot last time and wasn't beaten far behind an improving Nicky Henderson runner. He is currently rated 118 and that should be good enough to land a class four maiden here at Wincanton. Archduke Ferdinand ran well in handicap last time off a mark of 105 and could be on the way back to somewhere near his best. Meanwhile Primondo has shown plenty of promise in two hurdle events and is of course open to further improvement. Linden Boy is another that could be involved in the finish, but our idea of the winner is Scotland Yard.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, in touch, headway 7th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, no extra when headed close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Warpath (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Glenree 10-1 (10-6) pulled up in race won by Tevere (11-2) at Jersey 2m int hdl gd, 5 ran.
Linden Boy (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Level until 5th, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Wotchalike (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Primondo (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway from 5th, ridden before 3 out, 3rd and close up when not much room approaching last, switched left flat, one pace, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Give Me A Dime (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Relative Hero (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, 12th of 17, well behind Otantique (11-5) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
That's My Charlie (NZ) 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden when mistake 3 out, and weakened, 5th of 14, 15l behind Gentle John (11-3) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Scotland Yard (UAE) 7-2 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and steady headway from 8th, went 2nd and not fluent last, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Miss Midnight 8-1 (11-4) In touch, not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 42l behind Sultan Fontenaille (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf.
Neatandsweet 6-1 (10-4) Not fluent 1st, tracked leader until 6th, soon hung left, behind when mistake 3 out, hung badly left flat, 4th of 5, 23l behind Bubbs (10-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
