chased leaders, led 5th, ridden when hung left and hit last, driven out
in touch until 4th, behind from next
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until hit 3rd, weakened after 5th
held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
keen early, held up, good headway 5th, close 2nd when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on
chased leaders until lost placed quickly 5th, never back on terms, regained modest 4th after 2 out
held up, jumped left 2nd, headway after 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, soon weakened
with leader, led 3rd until 5th, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
SAFARI JOURNEY can follow up on his recent Wincanton success at the expense of Sweet World and Raise Again. The selection reappears very quickly after winning at the Somerset track on Sunday. He won a conditional jockeys hurdle that day and therefore he avoids the seven pound penalty he would have to carry had it been a normal handicap. That in effect makes him well in and as he is able to run off the same mark, a repeat performance will see him go very close once again. Sweet World is a law unto himself as he is not the biggest and pulls like a steam train. He has caught the eye on a number of occasions but fails to get home most of the time. He struggled at Exeter last time out but will fair better on this easier track so is one to note. Raise Again is still a maiden over hurdles and is in danger of becoming a frustrating horse to follow. That said he has run well at this venue on a number of occasions and it be no surprise to see him in the shake up come the business end of the race. However for the winner we return to Safari Journey.
Safari Journey (USA) 4-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear when not fluent last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf beating Dreams Jewel (10-9) by 7l, 17 ran.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along 6th, soon lost place, pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Amir El Jabal (11-12) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Jeffison (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind Eradicate (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Keyneema 9-2 (10-6) Chased leader until ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, 19l behind King Gabriel (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gf.
Raise Again (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression when mistake next, 5th of 14, 14l behind King's Majesty (11-1) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Sweet World 12-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, held up, hampered 1st, headway 4th, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Tayarat (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 6th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Lepido (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
How Realee (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) In rear, mistake 2nd, soon detached and pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Spanish Cruise (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Missie Geore (IRE) 250-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 15, 46l behind Izita Star (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Lets Get Cracking (FR) 100-1 (10-7) In rear hampered 4th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Punchestowns (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Mar '08, 16 ran.
Sally Army 66-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 23l behind Safari Journey (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.