tracked leaders, led after 5f, headed over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
held up, always behind
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 3f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders to over 6f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and kept on one pace final 3f
raced keenly, in touch, lost place over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, headway to lead over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, just held on
mid-division, pushed along halfway, never nearer
held up, headway halfway, chased leaders 5f out, ridden and effort over 3f out, soon weakened
set steady pace, headed after 5f, stayed in touch, ridden and every chance 4f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, lost place halfway, driven and headway over 3f out, ridden and ran on well over 1f out and soon every chance, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, good headway over 5f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
Ismahaan is taken to make a winning debut at the expense of the slightly more experienced Somewin and Word Gets Round, with Armagh South one to note in the market. It is always prudent to sit up and take notice when trainer Mark Wallace books a top jockey, as witnessed by his success on the Flat with Kieren Fallon, so with Tony McCoy in the saddle here, Ismahaan will be fancied in the market. By Unfuwain out of an Irish River mare, he should have inherited enough speed to make an impression at this game. Somewin was just beaten on her debut here 16 days ago when sent off as favourite. She picked up from the back and was closing at the finish, but maybe did not handle the fast ground, so today's conditions should be ideal, and she is likely to be a major threat. Word Gets Round made the most of his previous experience when scoring in moderate company at Catterick, but this future chaser has a bit more to do. Armagh South's stable are churning out plenty of winners this season, but that is thanks mainly to owner Graham Wylie-this one has nothing to do with him and is best watched. There should be at least a couple of future hurdle winners on the Northern circuit emerging from this bumper, including Ismahaan who can pay to follow straight away.
