tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and gradually faded
not fluent in rear, ridden before 3 out, no extra
chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 7th, weakened quickly 4 out, tailed off
towards rear, effort and some headway 3 out, stayed on run-in, no chance with front pair
chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden before last, pressed leader after final flight, stayed on well to lead closing stages
towards rear, mistake 6th, lost touch before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, gradually faded
prominent, led before 2 out, ridden before last, soon pressed, kept on well but headed closing stages
mid-division, went prominent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, headway into mid-division after 6th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, dropped to last and pushed along 6th, tailed off
MISTER WHITAKER debuts for Donald McCain’s yard on his reappearance. He has an impressive strike rate over fences and looks the one to beat on these terms back over the smaller obstacles. Irish challenger Glentruan placed over a shorter trip here a week ago and steps up in trip along with Hexham third Kayf Hernando while Ritson is preferred to stablemate High Moon. Everyday Champagne is expected to improve this season and is another to note.
Glentruan (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Malpas (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Everyday Champagne (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Close up, outpaced and pushed along over 3f out, plugged on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Imperial Storm (11-0) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Filou D'Anjou (FR) 250-1 (10-12) Towards rear, slow jump 2nd, never on terms, 6th of 9, dist behind Rattle Owl (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
High Moon 22-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, closed when not fluent 6th, not fluent and weakened 3 out, left remote 4th last until close home, 5th of 11, dist behind Lesser (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar.
Kayf Hernando 2-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden before home turn, close up entering home straight, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind Grand Du Nord (11-0) at Hexham 2m (5) gd in Apr.
Landacre Bridge 6-1 (11-0) Led until 3f out, weakened from 2f out, 5th of 8, 18 1/2l behind The Wild Westerner (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gs in Jun.
Largy Fix (IRE) 7-2jfav (12-2) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra 6f out, eased over 4f out, completely tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Scorpion's Revenge (12-2) at Cork 2m 3f gd in Apr.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Always in rear, 18th of 21, dist behind The Shunter (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Ritson (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 5f out, nudged along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Dynamite Kentucky (11-4) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Warriors Story 15-2 (11-0) Led, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 30 1/4l behind Sauce Of Life (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Dat'shallot (IRE) 80-1 (10-4) In rear, struggling 6th, well behind when mistake 2 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Bob's Bar (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
