made all, awkward 6th, went right next, pushed along and quickened home turn, 2 lengths ahead when not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, unchallenged
chased winner, pushed along home turn, ridden between last two, 2 lengths down last, stayed on same pace run-in no chance with winner
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NonRunner
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MAGICAL KING has found one too good in both starts over hurdles so far including a decent novices' event at Aintree last month when finishing a street clear of the rest. He can open his account now handicapping. Most of the rest are looking to improve on the back of recent comeback runs with Ballygeary, Iontach Cheval and Diamand De Vindecy all stepping up in trip while Issam would prefer a faster surface. Skycutter returns to hurdling having switched to Dan Skelton’s yard.
Ballygeary (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Held up in midfield, headway before 2 out, soon stayed on between rivals, disputed 2nd approaching last, kept on run-in but lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 18, 9l behind Our Champ (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Skycutter (FR) 66-1 (9-6) Always in rear, never a factor, last of 8, 19 1/4l behind Max Vega (9-9) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Issam (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Prominent early, chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, 3rd and no impression flat, 3rd of 8, 15 1/2l behind Operation Manna (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Magical King (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd home turn, pushed along before omitted 2 out, kept on, no impression on winner, well clear of rest, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Josh The Boss (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Iontach Cheval 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 10, 14 1/4l behind Arqoob (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Diamand De Vindecy (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Dunnet Head (11-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.