tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, left 2nd at 3rd, led after last (over 6f out), pushed along and headed over 2f out, kept on and always well held towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd before and mistake 2 out, ridden over 2f out, one pace
led, fell 3rd
tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, headed after last (over 6f out), soon weakened
in rear and in touch, went 3rd over 4f out, led over 2f out, hard held
Empire Levant is the class act in this and wasn't disgraced on his first start for Dan Skelton at Worcester. He's been eased a couple of pounds since and can't be ignored but WHISKY YANKEE is getting plenty of weight and could be another for the champion jockey. He couldn't quicken when well backed over 2m4f at Worcester last month so the extra half-mile should be in his favour. High Ville was in good form last summer but hasn't raced since August and Sun Tzu has been off even longer. Hunter chaser Stonethrower hasn't raced over hurdles for almost two years.
Empire Levant (USA) 25-1 (11-12) Behind, hampered 3rd, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from next, never reached leaders, 4th of 13, 25l behind First Avenue (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs.
Stonethrower (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 4th, closed 7th, ridden after 9th, not fluent and struggling from 11th, well beaten after 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind Creevytennant (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
High Ville (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Led and soon clear, reduced lead after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 17l behind Pure Faith (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, jumped left 2nd, lost place before 10th, jumped left 15th, soon struggling, blundered badly 18th and well beaten after, tailed off, 7th of 8, dis behind Billie Magern (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May '13.
Whisky Yankee (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, last and struggling 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, chased leading pair between last 2, kept on same pace run-in, no extra in 4th towards finish, 4th of 13, 8l behind Colebrooke (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in May.
