tracked leader, outpaced after 4 out, rallied after next, no extra approaching last
in touch, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
made all, jumped right, challenged 2 out, stayed on well (2 fences omitted)
chased leaders, joined leader 8th, every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure
held up in rear but in touch, weakened after 2 out, tailed off
Having been pulled up on his chasing bow, GOLDEN WHISKY (NAP) ran a fine race behind subsequent winner Simply The Betts at Chepstow - he need only reproduce that effort to take this. Llantara loves the mud and has won three times over hurdles. She will be a danger if taking to fences on her first run since March. Driftwood Haze was third here in December on his last run over fences but this trip looks on the short side. Some Can Dance is preferred to the returning The Rory Story of the others.
Driftwood Haze 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, shaken up after 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 7, 7 3/4l behind Champers On Ice (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
The Rory Story (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden and well beaten 4 out, pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Golden Whisky (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Hampered 1st, prominent, driven and outpaced by front pair 4 out, no impression next, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Simply The Betts (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Some Can Dance (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, 31 1/4l behind Eva's Oskar (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Llantara 15-8fav (12-0) Held up in rear, headway tracking leaders between last 2, led before last, clear last, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Paper Roses (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
