jumped right on occasions, led and raced keenly, well clear after 2nd, hit 3rd, about 6 lengths ahead and ridden when hung badly right and ran out on bend approaching 2 out
held up in chasing group, progress 5th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden when left in lead on bend approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, all out
in rear of chasing group, not fluent 2nd, outpaced 5th, 6 lengths down 2 out, stayed on well flat
behind, mistake 4th, soon struggling, no impression
held up in chasing group, progress after 3rd, went 2nd 5th until 3 out, still every chance when mistake last, soon hung left and beaten
chased clear leader until 5th, struggling 3 out, no impression when mistake last
raced keenly, in touch chasing group, mistake 3 out, outpaced after, rallied from 2 out, every chance flat, kept on
prominent in chasing group, struggling 5th
Mutual Friend gets the confident vote in the opener with Star Of Memory and Stagehand rating the main dangers. The selection has won at up to 10 furlongs on the flat, is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut, and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Star Of Memory rates the main danger. He showed promise on his debut in a better race in his native France and with his shrewd yard in form he should be watched in the market. Stagehand is another that could go well as he was a fair second on his debut behind Torba but he looked a short runner on that occasion and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Foreign King is bred to be suited by further while Road To Recovery took a heavy fall last time out and it is hard to know if his confidence will have been affected, and with this in mind for the winner we return to Mutual Friend.
Approved Force (USA) (9-2) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 12, 18l behind Val D'espoir (9-2) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 3yo stk in Apr (Flat).
Foreign King (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on one pace from last, 4th of 10, 13l behind Summer of Love (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Hanbrin Bhoy (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 3f out soon weakened, 10th of 15, 18l behind Perfect Reward (9-1) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Homecroft Boy 100-1 (10-12) Held up, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 20l behind Torba (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Mutual Friend (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Close up, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Mull of Dubai (9-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Jul (Flat).
Road To Recovery 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders when fell 5 out in race won by Dr McFab (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct, 12 ran.
Stagehand (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, alway prominent, every chance 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon hung right, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Torba (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Star Of Memory (FR) (10-1) behind Sable De Sou (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl in Oct, 16 ran.
