jumped left at times, jumped hesitantly early stages, closed after 5th, went 3rd before 4 out, no impression, not fluent and weakened 2 out
held up in 4th, outpaced 9th, mistake 4 out, weakened next
led until 8th, ridden after next, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd when mistake 4 out, stayed on, unable to challenge winner
tracked leader, led 8th, ran on well, comfortably
Nonrunner
Whisky Yankee dropped right down the ratings before his victory at Ffos Las, his third over hurdles at the track. He's been raised a massive 13lb and makes his chasing debut with a big weight. NEW YEAR'S EVE has also won three times over timber and a couple of bumpers and is another having his first start over the bigger obstacles. His overall form is very strong and the fact that he hasn'r run since March isn't a concern for one from this yard so he gets the nod. Dresden didn't show on his chasing bow at Warwick last month but will have needed the run and the experience, a remark that also applies to Life And Soul, who jumped deliberately on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter. Sir Valentino has been making a few too many mistakes but could pose a threat if jumping round safely while Citizenship will be suited by dropping back in trip after a very encouraging chasing debut over 2m4f here where he was only caught in the closing stages.
Whisky Yankee (IRE) 4-5fav (11-1) In rear and in touch, went 3rd over 4f out, led over 2f out, hard held, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf in Jun beating Empire Levant (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
New Year's Eve 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 14, 25l behind Baltimore Rock (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Mar.
Life And Soul (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Jumped right, led after 2nd, headed 4th, led next, headed 8th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, 24l behind Sergeant Mattie (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Dresden (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed along 6th, never on terms, well beaten after 3 out, 6th of 9, 28l behind Top Gamble (11-8) at Warwick 2m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Dec.
Sir Valentino (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced in 3rd when switched outside approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Gardefort (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Citizenship 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, led 3 out, 3 1/2 lengths clear when mistake last, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Hold Court (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
