held up in last pair, closer in 4th at 8th, 2nd going well 4 out, led and pecked next, blundered badly 2 out, soon recovered and went clear
tracked leading pair until 10th, rallied on inside into modest 3rd again 3 out, hit next and last
held up in 4th until dropped to last 8th, weakened next, blundered 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 3 out, held next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leader until 4 out, soon pushed along, lost 3rd and hit next
Iskabeg Lane went close at Newcastle last week and looks sure to be in the mix once again. He’s preferred to the unpredictable Houndscourt, who won over these fences in January but was well beaten last time. COMPADRE missed out by only a neck over hurdles at Huntingdon on his latest start and James Evans’ charge had won over course and distance earlier. He gets another chance back over the larger obstacles today given Fight Commander and stablemate Wood Pigeon are regularly placed over fences though rarely win.
Compadre (IRE) 9-2 (12-1) Held up in rear, good headway 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed next, still every chance flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Save The Pennies (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Fight Commander (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th until 10th, 2nd again 4 out, led briefly before next, chased winner, well held 2 out, eased when no chance run-in, 2nd of 8, 21l behind Kings Monarch (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Arthur's Reuben (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Iskabeg Lane (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) With leader, led 11th to 12th, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Astracad (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Houndscourt (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistakes 6th and 8th, rallied 6 out, outpaced 4 out, stayed on into remote 3rd, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Dartford Warbler (10-13) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan.