raced wide in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next
towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms
close up, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
disputed lead until led 2 out, soon ridden, headed and not fluent last, stayed on gamely
always in rear, behind from 3 out
disputed lead until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, ridden to lead when not fluent last, stayed on gamely
closer up, ridden 3 out, weakened next
raced wide prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms
keen in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on one pace
WHITLOCK, rated 87 and twice a winner on the Flat, has had excuses in both starts over hurdles so far. He returned to winning ways in a jumpers’ bumper at Lingfield earlier this month and can land this. Kildimo is also engaged at Wetherby and was behind Tonyx at Catterick but Sameer showed promise when third at Plumpton and has had a wind operation since. Chepstow third Sheldon is improving with experience and should also be thereabouts.
Diamon Des Flos (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 4 out and 3 out, brief headway when ridden after 3 out, stayed on but never a factor, 5th of 14, 35 1/4l behind Stellar Magic (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Galurin (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led, joined over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 18 1/2l behind Gelino Bello (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f (5) sft in Dec.
Grandee (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, some headway 3 out, weakened soon after next, 7th of 11, dist behind Diocletian (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Handsome Samson 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Leroy Leroy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Kildimo (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Midfield, headway to track leaders before 2 out, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, 3rd of 9, 12 1/4l behind Bareback Jack (11-8) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Powerful Position (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 13, 25l behind Fabrique En France (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Sameer (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, made headway before 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, ran on flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Game Socks (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Sheldon (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not much room bend after 1st, headway before 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, mistake last, edged right towards finish, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Witness Protection (11-5) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Sufi 80-1 (11-5) Held up in midfield, took closer order 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, chased leaders before last, one pace, 4th of 16, 7 1/2l behind On To Victory (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Whitlock 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, god headway between horses into 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Jan beating Good Bye (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Wilde Water (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, detached after the 6th, never involved, 5th of 6, dist behind Tupelo Mississippi (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Tonyx 11-2 (10-9) Held up, took keen hold, hit 5th, headway into second 2 out, kept on but no match for easy winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Bareback Jack (11-8) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Highland Parc (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Raced handily, niggled along to dispute lead over 4f out, soon hard ridden and headed, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Without A Doubt (11-4) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Ripper Roo (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Chased leaders on inside went 2nd after 3 out, ridden home turn, staying on and about 1 length down when awkward last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Sopat (10-12) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
