towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon beaten
towards rear, pushed along before last, stayed on one pace, never on terms
prominent, pressed leader before 2 out, led after 2 out, pushed along before last, stayed on, always doing enough
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on, no impression
led, pressed before 2 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, not fluent 5 out, closed up to track front rank 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
mid-division, dropped to rear before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, always behind
Strange to see MISTER WHITAKER contesting a novice hurdle at Kelso, having finished third in a hot handicap chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival. He's now in the care of Donald McCain, for whom he recently nearly made a winning debut when a neck second at Carlisle. He has won in the past over 2m5f and is hard to oppose over this extended 2m6f trip. Return Fire has a first start for the Russell team after showing some ability in Ireland and Soivegotachance also showed some spark on his penultimate run when second at Perth. Court At Slip ran okay in his bumper and Geronimo, formerly pretty useful over fences, now returns after a 630-day absence.
Geronimo 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division on outside, blundered badly 15th, well beaten after, pulled up after 3 out, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Houston Texas (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, chased leaders, dropped to rear before 11th and given reminder, mistake 12th, soon struggling, tailed off 2 out, last of 7, dist behind Getareason (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gs in May.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Prominent, led before 2 out, ridden before last, soon pressed, kept on well but headed closing stages, 2nd of 11, nk behind Kayf Hernando (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Return Fire (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Brideswell Lad (11-6) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn sft in Aug.
Soivegotachance (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Led early, hit 1st, headed before 4th, pushed after 4 out, in rear and struggling after 3 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Will Carver (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
Brandy Mcqueen (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on from 1f out, 4th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Feel Like De Baune (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Court At Slip (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, went 2nd briefly, kept on, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Pressure Sensitive (11-9) at Wetherby 2m (5) sft in Feb.
