took keen hold, held up, headway when not fluent 2nd, challenged 2 out, driven to lead last, stayed on, clear towards finish
always in rear, tailed off 3 out
with leaders when jumped right and mistake 1st, soon in rear, well beaten 3 out
prominent, led 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
made most until 4th, every chance when bumped 2 out, one pace and beaten before last, lost 4th post
held up towards rear, closed 5th, niggled along after 4 out, ridden on outside when mistake 2 out, no impression, took 4th flat
mid-division, reminders after 4 out, soon beaten
not always fluent, held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, switched right before 2 out, shaken up in 3rd last, stayed on, unable to challenge
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, not much room on inside before 2 out, soon led, mistake and headed last, held flat
Whatmore was fulfilling earlier promise when beating a previous winner at Aintree in May and a penalty should not prevent another good run. He is less exposed than the luckless Zalvados but a couple of hurdling debutants are just as interesting. Barry Geraghty has just two rides today for his retainer, starting with DOSTAL PHIL. He was bought for 295,000 euros after winning on the Polytrack at Deauville just over a year ago and is likely to know his job. Turtle Wars also represents a top NH yard and has been placed in a point-to-point.
Whatmore 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on outside 4th, 2nd before 2 out, led after 2 out, drawing clear when drifted left and not fluent last, comfortably, won at Aintree 2m 1f (4) gd in May beating Ramonex (11-4) by 10l, 6 ran.
Baileys Galaxy (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, pulled hard, headway 4 out, no chance with leaders, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Bridey's Lettuce (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Made most, clear over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Aug beating Cool Music (9-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
D'Arcy's Sound (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 7th, 2nd well before 3 out until approaching 3 out, chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Master Work (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Doc Carver (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, improved to 4th under 9f out, headway to 2nd 4f out,dropped to 7th over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra, 9th of 14, dist behind Double Portrait (12-0) at Cork 2m 3f gd in Apr.
Dostal Phil (FR) (9-10) won at Deauville 1m 4f stks pol in Oct beating Demon D'aunou (10-1) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Mad For Action (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Subtle Hint.
Oregon Gold (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, outpaced before 4 out, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 30 1/4l behind Lovato (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Shininstar (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not much room 3rd, 2nd 5th, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 11, dist behind Stepover (11-0) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Turtle Wars (FR) 7-4 (11-11) Chsd ldrs on inner, 4th afr a mile, 2nd bef 2out where mstk, 3l 2nd when hdd bef last, no ex early flat, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Chooseyourweapon (11-11) at Inch 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Zalvados (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway on inside 3 out, bumped by rival trying to get up inside line before 2 out, no impression before last, 5th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Jacks Last Hope (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Candlelight Story 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, weakened 4 out, hampered 2 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Palmers Hill (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
