disputed lead, drew clear approaching 2 out, in command when blundered last, kept on well
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no further impression on winner
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd after last
not fluent 1st, always toward rear
held up, not fluent 1st and 2nd, stumbled 3rd, weakening when hit 3 out
The lightly raced Katies Tuitor sets a fair standard here and is taken to follow up his recent Kempton success and give weight and a beating to main rivals Irish Whispers and Mull of Dubai. The last mentioned showed progressive form on the flat and could be of interest first time out over hurdles but his lack of experience may tell. Lord Adonis ran better than expected at Cheltenham last month and may win races but he may have to settle for a minor role again here, while Sa Nau is not certain to confirm Chepstow form with Irish Whispers. Katies Tuitor was unexposed on the level and has done nothing wrong over hurdles so he is hard to oppose.
Katies Tuitor 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Urban Tiger (10-12) by 20l, 12 ran.
Irish Whispers (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2f out, 4th of 11, 24l behind Katchit (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Cockatoo (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure on outside over 3f out, went moderate 3rd inside final 2f, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Florimund (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept (Flat).
Lord Adonis (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Not always fluent, held up well in rear, headway between last 2, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Freeze The Flame (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Mull of Dubai 5-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway going well 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind And Again (9-5) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Sa Nau 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division to rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Katchit (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Gracialina (GER) 33-1 (10-5) Towards rear, effort approaching 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 5th of 11, 49l behind Katchit (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
