| Course: AINTREE | Race date:13/06/08 | Race time:6:05 | Runners:11 |
| Race distance:2m½f | Going:Good | Winners time:4m 2.10s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Friend | Tom Scudamore | D E Pipe | 10-11 | 4 | 0 | 117 | 13/8F | 1.64 | 1.34 | 1.25 | 1.01 | 1 | ||
| Dee Jay Wells | J P O´Farrell | D W Thompson | 10-8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11/2 | 3 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.01 | 2 | 15 | |
| Depraux | Barry Keniry | G M Moore | 11-0 | 5 | 0 | 94 | 12/1 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 1.01 | 3 | 4½ | |
| Saviour Sand | P J Brennan | D R C Elsworth | 10-11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7/2 | 2.24 | 1.8 | 1.45 | 1.07 | 4 | 10 | |
| Punta Galera | T J O´Brien | Paul Green | 11-0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6/1 | 3.45 | 2.34 | 2.08 | 2.04 | 5 | 2 | |
| Alqaayid | R L Butler | P W Hiatt | 10-11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 66/1 | 25 | 17.42 | 5.1 | 13.5 | 6 | 17 | |
| Latif | A Coleman | Paul Green | 10-9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 12/1 | 7.8 | 5.06 | 4 | 2.6 | 7 | 17 | |
| Moon Phase | Wilson Renwick | M W Easterby | 10-11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 20/1 | 10 | 7.02 | 3.7 | 7.2 | 8 | 1 | |
| Russian Mist | Brian Harding | A J Martin | 11-0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28/1 | 13.5 | 9.47 | 5.4 | 8.2 | 9 | 23 | |
| Tobago Reef | Derek Laverty | C W Moore | 10-8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50/1 | 19.5 | 16.33 | 6.2 | 19 | 10 | 16 | |
| Adversane | Mark Grant | Mary Meek | 10-11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 66/1 | 27 | 22.2 | 10.5 | 26 | 11 | 5 |
Mutual Friend midfield, headway on bit 4 out, led between last 2, hit last, effortlessly drew clear run-in, easily
Dee Jay Wells tracked leaders, outpaced and pushed along after 4 out, rallied 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
Depraux chased leader, reminder after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, challenging when hit 2 out, weakened after last
Saviour Sand raced keenly, led, ridden and headed between last 2, soon weakened
Punta Galera held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and beaten before 2 out
Alqaayid in touch, headway 4 out, ridden when chased leaders approaching 3 out, hanging left and weakening when hit 2 out
Latif raced keenly, chased leaders, rider lost iron briefly 5th, weakening when jumped left and hit 3 out, no danger when hit last, eased run-in
Moon Phase midfield, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, weakened approaching 4 out
Russian Mist held up, shaken up after 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon eased
Tobago Reef held up, struggling after 4 out, never on terms
Adversane not fluent, held up, struggling after 4 out, never on terms
MUTUAL FRIEND, the clear form choice, had tended to find very little and this victory did not tell us much about his resolution as he scarcely needed to come off the bridle, moving easily into the lead between the last two flights and coming clear without being asked a serious question. He has the ability to win more races and this may boost his confidence, but the lack of resolve he has shown previously means there will still be a question mark over him in a race where he needs to come under pressure.
Dee Jay Wells had shown modest form when placed in both previous hurdle races and matched it here, readily put in his place by the winner. He may have more prospects of success in modest handicap company.
Punta Galera showed only a modicum of promise on this hurdling debut, clear of the seemingly limited Alqaayid.
Latif was another to race keenly, while Moon Phase jumped slowly.Russian Mist was never able to challenge but made progress in the straight and was eased after a mistake two out. His trainer is the definition of shrewdness and this five-year-old is one to bear in mind in poor company if there is a market move in his favour.
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