in touch, hampered 4th when left 3rd, mistake 5 out, ridden before last, one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 4th, chased winer and no impression from 2 out
in rear, detached from 6th
tracked leader, led 3rd, raced wide on bend after, jumped badly right and fell 4th
led to 3rd, left in lead 4th, blundered 3 out, clear before last
Closest Friend has been placed in both starts over fences and should appreciate this stiff track having won over further over hurdles. But he didn't find much off the bridle when third at Sedgefield last week and SAINT CHARLES (NAP) might be good enough to give him 6lb. The JP McManus-owned gelding has only disappointed once over the larger obstacles so far and he's also won over further. The four-year-old Pinkie Brown did win over hurdles at Wetherby in January and this will be a more suitable test after a couple of recent runs on the Flat.
Saint Charles (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, 3rd last, unable to get on terms, 3rd of 10, 6 1/4l behind Gabrial The Great (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Closest Friend 9-4jfav (11-0) In touch in 4th, went 3rd from 7th, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Mixboy (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Finch Flyer (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Soon well adrift in rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up before next, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Utmost Zeal (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway on outside when not fluent 6th, weakened well before 2 out, 8th of 15, 28l behind Aramadyh (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Pinkie Brown (FR) 28-1 (10-0) Dwelt always in rear, last of 11, 24 1/4l behind Stratum (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Aug.
