led, jumped right, not fluent 3rd, mistake next, headed before 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, steadied after 2nd, closed 3 out, every chance when took off early, landed awkwardly and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place briefly on outside after 3 out, soon closed, led after 2 out, wandered into last where mistake, headed towards finish
tracked leader until 4th, every chance 2 out, 3rd and one pace before last
held up in last, jumped slowly 2nd, mistake 4th, headway and in touch after 3 out, outpaced from next
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, not fluent last, stayed on under pressure to lead again towards finish
Home Run has been superbly placed to win five of his last eight starts. He's been placed in the other three and is back in the right grade here so can't be ignored as he was successful over course and distance on Boxing Day. Xaarcet is another arriving at the top of his game having completed a hat-trick over 2m6f here 11 days ago, though he didn't come into his own until tackling longer trips. Suerte Al Salto should be winning soon having finished second twice in novice hurdles at Taunton and in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton but Ivan Vasilevich returns following a winter break and Tiny Tenor and In The Crowd would need to improve to get involved. ISLANDMAGEE won on his handicap debut at Kempton and the third franked the form at Sandown last week. He's only 5lb higher here and a follow-up is on the cards.
Ivan Vasilevich (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) Led, mistake 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Katchmore (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Aug.
Home Run (GER) 11-2 (10-4) Led, drew clear going best before 2 out, reduced lead approaching last, ridden and hung badly left flat, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace, unable to recover, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Barizan (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Suerte Al Salto (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Karinga Dancer (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (5) std in Jan.
Xaarcet (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, all out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy beating Bravo Bravo (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Islandmagee (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, took narrow lead and travelling well when not fluent last, soon headed, rallied to lead again post, won at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs beating Star Of Massini (10-13) by ns, 11 ran.
In The Crowd (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, hit next, 7th of 12, 23l behind Brick Red (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Tiny Tenor (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led until 3 out, 4th and no extra from last, 4th of 13, 13l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
