led, hit 6th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, hit last, one pace flat
chased leaders, lost place when mistake and unseated rider 6th
in touch, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakening when hit 5th
held up, ridden and weakened 6th
mid-division, headway after 6th, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace after
pulled early and held up last, headway after 4th, chased leaders 3 out, challenged and pecked 2 out, soon led, ridden clear from last
soon behind, tailed off from 6th
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, weakened after 3 out, never on terms
prominent, chased leader 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
prominent until ridden and weakened 6th
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 6th
A competitive novices' hurdle gets proceedings underway and from a shortlist of HECTOR'S CHOICE, Blazing Desert and Triple Bluff we will side with the first mentioned. The selection has won two of his four starts over hurdles and he can be forgiven a disappointing run last time at Exeter as the race probably came too soon for him. He looks a classy sort and he can resume winning ways on ground that will suit. Blazing Desert ran his most promising race to date at Sandown last time when he finished third behind Clay Hollister. He remains unexposed and he will go on the ground so he has to be respected. Triple Bluff finished a fair third behind Clova Island at Taunton last time but he has managed only one win from 15 starts over hurdles and he is thoroughly exposed. Seeking The Buck has got some decent flat form and he shaped with promise on his hurdling debut, but he has an absence to overcome today and we will stick with Hector's Choice to land the prize.
Hector's Choice (FR) 11-8fav (10-5) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 11l behind Lupanar (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft.
Triple Bluff 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Clova Island (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft.
Blazing Desert 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on from last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Clay Hollister (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Charlotte Street (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, not fluent and lost place 5th, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 41l behind Covert Mission (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Green Belt Elite (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Rear, some headway 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 16, 42l behind Copper Bleu (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent, led 3rd until after 5th, soon weakened, 6th of 16, well behind Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
King's Forest (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, in rear, mistake 1st, headway approaching 2nd, beaten last, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 9l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
King of Charm (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Tracked leader to over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 10l behind Auntie Mame (8-7) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May (Flat).
Le Toto 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, raced keenly, mistakes 4th and 5th, headway next, weakening when mistake 3 out, 7th of 16, 23l behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Marchand D'argent (FR) 17-2 (11-0) In touch until weakened quickly 6th, soon tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Seefin Mountain (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) In touch, mistakes 3rd and 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 18l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Whenallelsefails 200-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Wisteria Lane (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch to 3f out, soon beaten, 15th of 17, 40l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs.
Seeking The Buck (USA) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 36l behind First Buddy (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
