led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
prominent, ridden 9th, kept on flat, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden and lost place approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up and keen, headway 7th, 4th when blundered 8th, soon pulled up
prominent, ridden and lost place 4th, soon tailed off
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat
rider lost iron 3rd, always behind, tailed off 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before 9th
in touch, led 3 out, clear last, easily
With doubts concerning both The Sister and Wedger's Way, it might be worth taking a chance with dual bumper winner Chocolate Soldier on his hurdles debut. The selection has made all to win National Hunt flat races at Sedgefield and here at Worcester on his last two starts and should not be inconvenienced by the three-mile trip on his hurdling bow. Jonjo O'Neill's The Sister has to be respected, especially on the evidence of her debut fifth at Huntingdon but a subsequent effort at Wetherby means that she cannot be backed with any confidence. Wedger's Way ran well in a maiden chase on his rules debut but now makes the switch to hurdles and it remains to be seen how he copes with the smaller obstacles. The rest look a pretty moderate bunch with the exposed Felix probably the best of them, so we are happy to take a chance on the hurdling ability of Chocolate Soldier.
