tracked leader until over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased leader again over 1f out, kept on, one pace final furlong
in rear, never a factor
led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong
in rear, never a factor
slowly into stride, always towards rear
slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear
hampered after 1f, close up, chased leader over 3f out until ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
soon close up from wide draw, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, bumped entering final 2f, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division when short of room and hampered after 1f, headway over 2f out, soon switched right, ridden and stayed on towards finish
With time running out to close the gap at the top of the jockey's championship Richard Hughes will be throwing everything at the on-form PERFECT FRIEND. The jockey has ridden this one the last twice including to victory two starts ago in a handicap. He ran well in defeat when trying to follow up, again in weighted company and this shouldn't take as much winning. Marosh is fairly treated based on the pick of his form and the booking of Jamie Spencer catches the eye. Lopinot goes particularly well at this track and at the forecast odds looks value for the places and while others have claims Perfect Friend looks the most consistent.
Perfect Friend 11-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, no impression well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Not My Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Sir Ike (IRE) 40-1 (9-10) Steadied start, held up and behind, headway on wide outside over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 7l behind Lutine Charlie (8-12) at Bath 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Faited To Pretend (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, edged right and headed final 100 yards, weakened towards finish, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Charlie Delta (8-2) at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Lopinot (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up and keen, mid-division on outer, weakened well over 1f out, 13th of 14, 18l behind War And Peace (8-12) at Salisbury 7f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Public Image 40-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 6th of 8, 6l behind Misaro (8-10) at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
King's Sabre 10-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched sharply right over 1f out, plugged on, no danger, 7th of 13, 6l behind Blue Noodles (8-5) at Kempton 1m clm stks (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Know No Fear 9-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, hard driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 16, 7l behind Dreamacha (8-10) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep.
Fol Liam 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Smart Endeavour (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
I Confess 9-2 (8-8) Chased leader until 4f out, last of 12, 27l behind Fault (9-2) at Brighton 7f clm stks (6) gf in Sep.
Shark Man (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) In touch on inside, tracked leaders over 2f out, chased leader over 2f out until over 1f out, no impression when weakened to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 6l behind Dream Of Fortune (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol in Jul.
Super Frank (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, under pressure halfway, soon weakened, eased final furlong, last of 16, 16l behind Dreamacha (8-10) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep.
Marosh (FR) 13-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Bianca De Medici (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.