disputed lead, led 12th, joined next, headed narrowly 4 out, ridden and upsides when pecked 2 out, kept on, every chance when fell last
tracked leaders, hit 4th, lost place when not fluent 11th, soon struggling, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, joined leader 13th, led narrowly 4 out, driven 2 out, narrow advantage when left well clear last, unchallenged flat
tracked leaders on outside, went 3rd at 13th, ridden and one pace before 2 out, no chance with front pair when left in clear 2nd at last
made most, mistake 2nd, headed when blundered 12th, soon lost place, outpaced before 4 out, weakened next, left moderate 3rd at last
The Reveleys won this last year but there wasn't much encouragement in Ivan Boru's debut over the larger obstacles here two weeks ago. Smart Freddy was a lucky winner here last month when two of his rivals came down after the last and he might struggle under a penalty. The extra could also be a problem for Lingfield winner Leo Luna but Shantou Magic should appreciate the step up to 3m having been outpaced over 2m4f at Wincanton on Boxing Day when taking on some useful rivals. Rebecca Curtis did well to get a hurdles win out of AUDACIOUS PLAN earlier this season as he's always looked a chasing type. He gets that chance to prove that theory correct today.
Leo Luna 10-1 (11-0) Slight lead until before 7th, pressed leader, hit 11th, led again 14th, ridden and in command when mistake 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Lingfield 3m nov chs (4) hvy beating Cloudy Copper (11-0) by 15l, 5 ran.
Shantou Magic (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) 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, 4th of 5, 30l behind Close Touch (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Smart Freddy 12-1 (11-0) Led until 4 out, rallied and every chance next, under pressure in 3rd when left in clear lead after last, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Herecomestrouble (11-0) by 41l, 4 ran.
Audacious Plan (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in 5th, headway into 4th before 6th, 3rd next, led 4 out, ridden and headed run-in, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Bygones Sovereign (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Ivan Boru (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, blundered 1st, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Josses Hill (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (4) gd.
