with winner, hit 3rd and 5th, ridden and beaten approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
lost touch from 3rd, tailed off 10th
made all, hit 15th, in command from 3 out, ridden out
HOPKINS can land this at the expense of Wichita Lineman and Strong Coffee. Henry Daly's charge would be some way behind Wichita Lineman on hurdling form but he has always been spoken of as a likely chasing prospect by connections and at the likely odds, we are prepared to take a chance about an upset. Wichita Lineman is undoubtedly the class act. It is somewhat surprising that he is going chasing but for those of you of a stats persuasion, he was won twice on seasonal reappearance. Today will tell connections a lot about future targets. Strong Coffee always threatened to do better than his form figures suggested over hurdles. This looks a tough call on chasing debut. Orphelin Collonges' best efforts came in mud at Ludlow. He should stay this trip. The Bay Bridge represents a yard in form but he ran lamentably at Uttoxeter on a return from a two year absence. Hopkins can produce a shock.
Loch Vic (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ricardo's Chance (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
My Friend Paul 66-1 (10-7) In touch, weakened from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Minaad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Ortega (FR) 100-1 (10-13) Prominent, mistake 12th, weakened approaching 15th, mistake 4 out, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Quattrocento (10-7) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Strong Coffee 13-8fav (10-12) Always prominent, chased leader from 2nd, mistake 6th, led 3 out, ridden out flat, won at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gd beating Pams Oak (10-9) by 5l, 10 ran.
Hopkins (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, held when mistake last, 4th of 13, 8l behind Jug Of Punch (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Apr.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 7-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden 4 out, mistake next, one pace, 4th of 11, 15l behind Quickbeam (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
The Bay Bridge (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, well behind Another Brother (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, driven after next, weakened after 2 out, 9th of 17, 38l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
