held up towards rear, in rear over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, soon with leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, under pressure inside final furlong, caught close home
led, headed over 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden entering final furlong, kept on to lead close home
switched to rail start, held up in rear, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, headway on outer 4f out to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
prominent and keen early, faultered over 2f out, quickly pulled up
HUCKING HERO advertised his well-being with a ready hurdle success and can double up on his return to the flat; Carlton Scroop can get the better of Alternative Choice in the likely battle for second. When last seen on the level Tim Vaughan's charge ran off 66, so today's mark of 57 looks generous. Yes, he was disappointing that day but the yard had been going through a quiet patch and this one can continue their resurgence over an ideal trip. He rates a confident pick in what isn't a great race, although it'd be no surprise were Carlton Scroop to make a race of it. Andrea Atzeni's mount has been off for almost a year but when last seen on the level he won tidily off 58. A 5lb rise is therefore of less concern than the absence but if he's raring to go then our selection will have to pull out all the stops. If he's anywhere near his best, he rates the forecast link ahead of Alternative Choice who has a similar absence to contend with but does remain unexposed, although there has to be a doubt about the trip as he's yet to go beyond a mile. Choral Festival has no questions to answer with regards to her fitness but she has shown appreciably better form at Southwell so the surface rates the concern, whilst she doesn't appear particularly well treated anyway. Neither does Fantasy Ride although this relatively consistent sort goes well here and should rate the benchmark for the form. Sotelo is up in trip and down in the weights but still has it all to prove even off this revised mark, unlike our selection Hucking Hero who looks handicapped to take this.
Sotelo 33-1 (9-8) Behind, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Naheell (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway on inside from over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar beating Pelham Crescent (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Choral Festival 33-1 (9-1) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Slick Mover (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Hucking Hero (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 12l behind Moonbeam Dancer (8-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Alternative Choice (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dark Ranger (8-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Nelson Vettori 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Freedom Fire (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jan.
Fantasy Ride 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, short of room on inside 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Isle de Maurice (9-4) at Lingfield 2m Selling Handicap (0-60) (4yo+) (6) pol.
