tracked winner after 1st until 2 out, one pace
tracked winner until after 1st, in rear after 3rd, soon tailed off
made all, ridden before 2 out, kept on well from last
held up in touch, took keen hold, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and always held
in rear, weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
CLOSE TOUCH is the clear choice at the weights and will likely prove a warm order in this. He ran below par in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time but scored easily on his chasing debut at Wincanton earlier. George Fenbeck and Stopped Out are penalised for their wins at Southwell and Carlisle respectively so Minella Forfitness looks more likely to chase the selection home on today's terms. My Oh Mount Brown is probably best watched having failed to complete his last three starts.
Close Touch 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked winner, took closer order 5 out, hampered 3 out, weakened next, last of 4, 32l behind Wakanda (11-4) at Haydock 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
George Fernbeck 14-1 (11-6) In touch, dropped to rear 3rd, left 3rd at 8th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on from next, never on terms, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Straidnahanna (11-6) at Catterick 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
Stopped Out 5-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 21l behind Local Hero (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Led after 1st and keen, hung right from 5 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 41l behind Josses Hill (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jan.
My Oh Mount Brown (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly and tailed off 4 out, pulled up, in a race won by Join The Clan (10-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
