In the opener, Boyastara is selected ahead of The Local and Commemoration Day. Back to near a winning hurdling mark and with a good rider for this level booked to ride, The Local is certainly one to consider in the opener. Magnesium has won over course and distance but has his new mark to defy if scoring. From the Paul Nicholls yard, Boyastara showed enough promise on his British debut to be considered a major player at tthis level. Kildee Lass is on a winning mark and, with underfoot conditions likely to suit, she has to be given some thought. Commemoration Day has only had two starts over hurdles in Britain but has won one of them. Ok, he is five pounds above that winning mark now but, generally consistent, he is entitled to respect today. For the selection, though, we return to Boyastara.
The Local 10-3 (11-11) Led, ridden, not looked keen, headed after 5th, chased winner under pressure after, no chance after 3 out, lost moderate 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Never So Blue (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Magnesium (USA) 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Maharbal (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Fuel Cell (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next, one pace, 5th of 14, 23l behind Waterloo Son (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec '05.
Boyastara (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, driven 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Safari Adventures (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Picot de Say 9-1 (9-9) Mistake 1st, held up, brief effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 40l behind Orcadian (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Kildee Lass 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace 2 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Helen Wood (10-5) at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) In rear, last when hit 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went poor 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Never So Blue (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Brave Dane (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Reluctanct to race, came to a stop on landing pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Jacaranda (11-6) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
Secam (POL) 100-1 (10-2) Behind, blundered 4th, ridden and struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Brendar (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
