held up, mistake 3 out, headway soon after, effort next, stayed on same pace, went 3rd final strides
held up behind leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well
held up, struggling from 6th, weakened 2 out
led until hit 3rd, with leader, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened before last
keen, held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and chance 2 out, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, challenged for 2nd last, no extra towards finish
prominent, led 3rd, hit 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened quickly
MUTUAL FRIEND is taken to get the better of Mickmacmagoole and Come West in this handicap hurdle. This David Pipe-trained 5-year-old won well when last seen out at Southwell when he easily got the better of Lady Hillingdon. He won really well that day and although he has more on his plate here, the way he ran last time marked him down as one to stay on the right side of. Mickmacmagoole ran well at Exeter in a race that worked out well, and he then won well at Market Rasen last time. That was only four days so if this race does not come too quickly then he could be a definite player. Come West won last time but that was a very moderate contest and he will need to improve if he is to repeat the feat in this company. The Paul Nicholls-trained Indian Blood has disappointed on his last two starts, although he did win well at Newbury earlier in the year. Mutual Friend is clearly in good heart and he can win again.
Mutual Friend (USA) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 6th, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led on bit before last easily, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Lady Hillingdon (10-3) by 5l, 10 ran.
First Point (GER) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 6th of 24, 8l behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led flat, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Hippodrome (10-11) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Come West (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, left prominent 5th, chased leader approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge last, led flat stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Converti (10-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Indian Blood (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out, close up before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 14, 11l behind Bedizen (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
King Ar Aghaidh (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 8th, 5th of 11, 7l behind Tritonville Lodge (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Sea Cliff (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Held up, tracked leaders and going well approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Fortunate Dave (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Master Wells (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Royal Rationale (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
