tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 3rd until hit 3 out, soon ridden, 4th and no extra when hit last
led, not fluent 3 out or when headed 2 out, no extra flat
tracked leader until 3rd and again 3 out, led 2 out, clear before last, easily
held up, headway 5th, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up, not fluent 2nd, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in rear, not fluent 1st, behind 4th, tailed off
CLOSE TOUCH showed a nice turn of foot to win a bumper at Market Rasen in May. The Queen's gelding is likely to start a short price here to make an immediate impression over hurdles and, given his pedigree, could probably hold his own on the Flat at some stage in the future. Amok was fourth at Market Rasen on his hurdles bow and should improve while It's A Man World has won five times on the level this year and Chain Of Events twice. Neither can be ignored as they bid to step up on their efforts to date over timber. Midlothian is very lightly-raced but best watched today after a long absence.
Amok (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Behind, good headway on outer before 2 out, soon led, ridden and headed before last, no extra and lost 3rd place close home, 4th of 10, 5l behind Porgy (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Chain Of Events 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, headway 4th, hit next, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Architrave (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gd in Sep '10.
Close Touch 4-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 3f out, quickened entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in May beating Willie Gunn (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
It's A Mans World 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some headway before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never near leaders, 4th of 9, 32l behind Odin's Raven (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May '11.
Midlothian (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden along and green halfway, driven inside final 2f, plugged on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Charles Camoin (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (4) sft in Oct '10 (flat).
Staigue Fort 5-1 (10-6) In touch, effort on inside 4f out, weakened inside final 3f, 7th of 15, 28l behind Stock Hill Fair (11-5) at Exeter 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) sft in Dec.
Sugar Hiccup (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Regal One (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
