led, ridden along in narrow lead after 2 out, no extra after last and dropped to fourth
tracked leader in 4th, soon 2nd after jumping 1st, closely tracked leader in clear 2nd, pushed along entering straight, led at last and ran on well
tracked leader in 2nd, soon 3rd, moderate 3rd approaching 4 out, under pressure and weakened into 5th before 2 out, no extra
in rear, moderate 8th after 4 out, driven after 3 out, improved for pressure into closer 4th approaching 2 out, 3rd at last, stayed on without reaching winner
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, 6th and under pressure approaching 2 out, mistake and almost unseated 2 out, no impression after last
mid-division, dropped to rear and mistake 3rd, pulled up before 4th
towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, closer in 3rd approaching 2 out where mistake and ridden along, 4th at last, kept on into 3rd
mid-division, moderate 5th approaching 2nd, driven in 8th after 3 out, weakened
raced in 3rd, soon 4th, moderate 4th approaching 4 out, driven before 3 out, weakened and dropped to 7th before 2 out, kept on in straight to 5th
Four of these arrive in winning form but Mighty Whitey scrambled home in a Hexham seller before scoring over fences. Mojito Royale was recording his eighth career success when beating a big field on fast going at Gowran and an 8lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run with his rider claiming 5lb. Dubawi Phantom was sent to Uttoxeter to gain his third hurdles victory and is still well treated but it's the youngster SNOQUALMIE CHIEF who catches the eye. Gordon Elliott's charge has taken some time to find his form but did so at Perth last month and though A P McCoy won't be available this time Paul Carberry is a perfect replacement and a follow-up looks on the cards. The Black Russian may just need this after a long break but is one to note with Galway not too far off.
The Black Russian (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, just headed last, tried to rally but soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Bridgequarter Girl (10-12) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Sep.
The Ring Is King (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led 1st, disputed from after 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bayan (10-10) at Listowel 2m hcap hdle Grd 3 sft in Sep, 13 ran.
Mighty Whitey (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, slightly impeded 1st, led before 2nd, clear at stages, mistake 5th, jumped right at times, joined 2 out where got a slight bump, led again last, strongly pressed and stayed on well closing stages, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f beg chs gf in Jun beating Darwins Theory (11-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mojito Royale (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, ridden in 8th 3 out, improved to lead 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Jun beating Daigreen (10-9) by 3l, 19 ran.
Dubawi Phantom 14-1 (10-2) Never fluent, held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, stayed on flat, squeezed through towards finish, led close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Jun beating Red Merlin (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Lough Roe Lady (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent, slight mistake 2nd, not fluent 6th, not fluent 6 out, lost place and eased from 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Close Review (10-10) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 in May, 11 ran.
Lost Book (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, progress into 9th 4 out, 6th before 2 out, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 26l behind Xsquared (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Jun.
Snoqualmie Chief 3-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, led before last, clear flat, cosily, won at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jun beating Discoverie (10-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
Whisky Galore 16-1 (11-9) Led and soon clear, reduced lead halfway, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened from 2 out, slightly hampered at last, 6th of 14, 19l behind Carpet Elegance (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gf in May.
Glenconkeyne (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Plus Jamais (10-8) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
