held up, steady headway 4th, joined leaders 3 out, close up last, led flat, driven out
held up, tailed off 4 out
led, headed 2nd, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 2 out, weakened soon after
held up, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, no impression soon after
in touch, close up 3 out, led 2 out, pressed and headed flat
tracked leader and keen, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Mutual Friend arrives here in good form and he looks a good bet to land this; Russian Flag and Frederick Ozanam are the others to consider. David Pipe's 4-year-old was only narrowly beaten by Robert The Brave at Uttoxeter last time and if he can reproduce that form here then it should be enough to see him resume winning ways. Russian Flag was prominent in the betting and travelled very powerfully before running out of steam last time, so Charlie Longsdon's 5-year-old could be worth another chance as he has been very lightly-raced in the last couple of years. Frederick Ozanam was a fair sort on the flat and Oliver Sherwood's 4-year-old is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling debut. Goldan Jess hails from a shrewd yard and he has got some fair form over hurdles so he is worth a look in the betting. However Mutual Friend has plenty to recommend him and he is put forward as the pick.
Mutual Friend (USA) Evensfav (11-2) Raced keenly, mid-division, hampered 1st, headway approaching 6th, challenged last, ridden and hung left flat, no extra, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Robert The Brave (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Icey Run 100-1 (10-5) In touch until 7th, soon well behind, last of 7, well behind I'm So Lucky (11-4) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jun.
Prince Vector 12-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, with leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Fantastic Arts (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Russian Flag (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, steady headway 7th, ridden 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 16l behind Good Citizen (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
So Extreme 100-1 (10-5) Held up, in touch until weakened after 4 out, 7th of 12, well behind Shore Thing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Frederick Ozanam (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders until weakened rapidly over 2f out, last of 12, 13l behind Lady Grace (9-13) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun (Flat).
Goldan Jess (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) In touch, led 3 out, clear next, soon ridden, edged right and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Kinfayre Boy (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Rambling Socks 50-1 (10-2) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Snake Charmer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
