led, pushed along and headed 2 out, led again narrowly next, soon headed, stayed on
raced wide, keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed next, ridden and ran on
tracked leader, mistake 6th, dropped to 4th 4 out, hit next, headway next, ridden to lead soon after last, ridden and ran on
keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next
always in rear, lost touch from 7th
Beyond The Clouds won twice at the start of his chasing career but has been beaten three times since. Colonel Custard will require dramatic improvement from 11lb out of the handicap while chasing debutant Lord Baddesley needs softer ground. FRIEND OR FOE (NAP) had only two rivals when landing the odds at Uttoxeter in May but the second could be a nice prospect and he probably has the class to give 6lb to Any News, who will win races over fences but may need today’s experience.
Friend Or Foe (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Led 1st, headed next, led again briefly after 4th, headed before 5th, pressed leader approaching 4 out, led 4 out, not fluent 2 out, ran on well from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in May beating Highly Prized (11-0) by 4 3/4l, 3 ran.
Any News (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, effort 3 out, not clear run before 2 out, bumped after 2 out, soon held, weakened flat, 6th of 14, 19l behind Copperless (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) sft in May.
Beyond The Clouds 8-13fav (11-10) In touch, went second before 5th, not fluent 6th, tracked leader 4 out, headway to challenge and ridden before 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 3, 3 1/4l behind Pisgah Pike (11-6) at Worcester 2m (3) gd in Aug.
Lord Baddesley (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Prominent, travelled well, led after 2 out, ridden clear, won well, won at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Mar beating Osprey Call (11-6) by 7l, 9 ran.
Colonel Custard (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Off the pace in 3rd, reached for 2nd, not fluent 9th, closer approaching 4 out, beaten next, went left last, no chance, last of 3, 19 1/2l behind Hitman (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f (3) gd in Mar.
