held up, headway after 14th, soon went 3rd, every chance 2 out, hanging left before last, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway 4 out, 7 lengths down in 4th and staying on when unseated rider 3 out
mistakes, led to 10th, led 12th, blundered badly 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra towards finish
prominent, lost place 5th, blundered 6th, hit 9th, headway 11th, went 2nd 14th, led 2 out, stayed on flat
chased leader to 6th, 2nd again after 9th, led 10th to 12th, hit 13th, weakened next, tailed off
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 4th, went 2nd 6th until after 9th, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, jumped right, lost place 8th, rallied before 10th, losing place when blundered 13th, soon well behind, tailed off when refused 2 out
ROYAL HECTOR comes with risks attached but he'd take all the beating on the pick of last season's form. If he fails to recapture that then either Alexander Musical or Fergal's Find could be the beneficiary. The selection has won four of his eighteen starts over fences but has failed to complete on either start under Rules in 2009. Connections have slapped a pair of blinkers on him in an attempt to rekindle his fire and he'd take all the beating if they spark him back into life. Alexander Musical failed to win under Rules the first time around but he's been in winning form between the flags of late and could transfer that form back over regulation fences. Fergal's Find was backed into favouritism for his Hunter Chase bow but was tailed off when pulled up three from home; he won a point next time and has claims here despite finishing well held at Chaddesley Corbett last month. The market may help assess the chances of the remainder but we'll take a chance and side with Royal Hector.
Royal Hector (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 6th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Aheadofhistime (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Alexander Musical (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Hdwy aft 9; led 2 out; ro wl, won at Maisemore Park 3m ptp beating Another Alliance (12-5) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Curradoon (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Led 4 til hdd & fell 13, in a race won by Lagosta (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp, 14 ran.
Fergal's Find (IRE) 4-1 (12-5) (tt) in tch to 15, 4th of 9, 35l behind Distant Thunder (12-5) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m 2f ptp in Apr.
Good Man Again (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden when mistake 10th, soon beaten, 4th of 6, well behind Fruitfull Citizen (11-0) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) gf.
Magic Clover (ARG) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Ofarel D'airy (12-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (4) gf, 10 ran.
Mr Banker 12-1 (12-0) Ap; one pce 15, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Olivier (12-3) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp.
