made all, not fluent 4th, clear before 2 out, easily
refused to race
tracked front pair from 1st, closed 3 out, shaken up and no chance with winner before 2 out
always in rear, losing touch from 6th, tailed off
left close 2nd from 1st, no impression on winner when not fluent 2 out, well held last
2nd when jumped very slowly 1st, rear pair after and jumped very novicey, pushed along 6th, closed 3 out, ridden and no impression before next
It took LINCOLN COUNTY four attempts to get off the mark in bumpers but his victory at Newton Abbot was achieved with some authority and he should make a hurdler. His trainer should know where he stands with Closest Friend, who was beaten six lengths by the selection's stablemate Francis Of Assisi when second at Stratford. Cloudy Joker has won three chases but has yet to show the same ability over hurdles and it's difficult to make a case for the remaining trio, though Jethro may improve for the switch to hurdles.
Closest Friend 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden and every chance briefly on home bend, no impression on winner when stumbled slightly last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Francis Of Assisi (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in 4th, tracked leading pair 6th, in touch when fell next, at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Fair To Middling 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, fell, at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in May.
Gifted Island (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Went left 1st, took keen hold chasing leader, led before 4th until before 2 out, weakened quickly, behind when fell last, at Chepstow 2m 4f (4) hvy in Jan.
Jethro (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 18l behind Meet The Legend (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn (6) gf in Sep.
Lincoln County 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, drew clear entering final furlong, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Jul beating Tour De Ville (11-2) by 10l, 8 ran.