towards rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced when not much room over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along halfway, no impression
close up until no extra final furlong
made most, ran on strongly final furlong
chased leaders, effort 2f out , one pace final furlong
prominent until weakened well over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on under pressure towards finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, no extra final 2f
Whinhill House is in good form overall at present and gets the nod over Wanchai Lad, Hout Bay and Tag Team. Whinhill House strode out really well up the hill when scoring here last time, and in his current mood will take some stopping. David Barker's charge could well have been chasing a four-timer here had he not stumbled early on at Thirsk the time before last, and it is hard to ignore his claims off what still looks a reasonable mark. Wanchai Lad gained a surprise success at Thirsk last time and will go back up the weights again. It remains to be seen whether that recent win was a fluke or not and he is passed over. Hout Bay has an absence to overcome, having been off since an unlucky-in-running effort at Wolverhampton in November, and is another to watch for the time being, while Tag Team ran out of steam in a Redcar claimer last time. All in all, with Whinhill House at the top of his form, he has to be the one.
Divine Spirit 66-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Out After Dark (9-0) at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gd.
Wanchai Lad 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders stand side, headway 2f out, led overall well over 1f out, ridden, stayed on well final furlong, won at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf beating Ellens Academy (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.
Whinhill House 12-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Carlisle 5f hcp (6) gf beating Viewforth (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Hout Bay 4-1fav (9-4) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, some headway 2f out, not clear run inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Cherokee Nation (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp (E3) pol in Nov.
Beyond The Clouds (IRE) 22-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 17, 3l behind Out After Dark (9-0) at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gd.
Kentucky Express 11-4fav (9-10) Lead, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 11l behind Karashino (8-4) at Thirsk 6f mdn aut stk (5) sft in Apr.
Dispol Katie 22-1 (8-7) Behind stand side, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 8th of 19, 3l behind Wanchai Lad (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf.
Tag Team (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Up Tempo (9-8) at Redcar 6f clm (6) gf.