chased leaders, outpaced and pushed along before 2 out (usual 4 out), rallied well after last (usual 3 out), ridden to lead after bypassing 2 out, stayed on well
held up in touch, not fluent 10th (usual 5 out), headway next (usual 4 out), went second approaching bypassed 2 out, soon ridden, no extra after bypassing last
led, headed 2nd, led again and slow 4th, headed 6th, led again before next, headed 9th, pushed along 2 out (usual 4 out), ridden after last (usual 3 out), weakened after bypassing 2 out
close up, led 2nd, headed 4th, led 6th, headed before next, led 9th, pushed along and headed bypassing 2 out, kept on flat
Just the four runners but this is still quite competitive. Big River beat Cash To Ash by almost three lengths here six weeks ago and the latter is no better off. Saint Xavier has won three times over fences in France but has only a hurdles win to his name in this country. MISTER WHITAKER is a Grade 2 winner over the larger obstacles and has had wind surgery since a successful campaign over hurdles in the autumn - he looks the pick of the weights.
Big River (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Mid division, pushed along 4 out, effort and headway 3 out, went 5th home turn, ridden before 2 out, pressed leaders before last, led last, stayed on strongly, won going away, won at Kelso 4m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Cash To Ash (10-8) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Led, headed 5th, could not go pace of leader 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 8, 8l behind No Word Of A Lie (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Saint Xavier (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Led until 4th, handy, ridden 4 out, 3rd and beaten from 2 out, dropped to 4th flat, 4th of 12, 4l behind Keep Wondering (11-3) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Cash To Ash (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Led until 3 out, ridden and headed at 2 out, rallied after final fence, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Sidi Ismael (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
