led to 4th, chased clear leader, lost place 11th, chased winner 4 out to before next, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out, lost modest 3rd before last, weakened flat
tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 11th, led after 5 out, drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
held up in rear, reminder 11th, outpaced before 4 out, no impression in 4th when hit 2 out, went modest 3rd before last, no chance with front pair
held up in 4th, headway 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from next
tracked leader, led 4th, clear to 11th, headed after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off when went left 3 out, soon pulled up
A Grade 3 winner over timber in 2013, Close Touch returns to action off the same mark as Shantou Magic for his chasing bow. The latter won at Market Rasen last month while the more experienced Wilton Milan scored at Newbury on his penultimate start and both have chances in this. Loyaute found only subsequent Grade 2 winner Ptit Zig too good at Exeter last time but a chance is taken on MOSSPARK. Three times a winner over hurdles, he finished third at Chepstow on his chasing debut and first start since March and can go close with improvement expected.
Shantou Magic (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, progress to join leader 4 out, led before next, driven clear approaching last, readily, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov beating Viva Steve (10-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Close Touch 8-1 (11-6) Close up in 5th on inside, went 2nd traveelling well before 2 out, led 2 out, clear between last two, very easily, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar '13 beating Many Clouds (11-12) by 12l, 16 ran.
Mosspark (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led to 5 out, chased leader, not fluent 2 out, one pace before last, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-0) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (4) sft in Oct.
Wilton Milan (IRE) 6-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway 8th, led 4 out, ridden and wandered after 2 out, not fluent and rider lost iron last, soon headed and hung left, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Ultragold (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Loyaute (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Held up 4th, closer order approaching 5th, 2nd approaching 7th, pushed along before 4 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Ptit Zig (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
