tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, soon lost place
tracked leader, challenged 8th, mistake 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra and lost 3rd place towards finish
led, challenged from 8th, headed before 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied from last, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish
towards rear and in touch, chased leader before 2 out, kept on to lead close home
held up towards rear, in 4th before 4 out, led before 3 out, clear before last, caught close home
in rear, reminders before 8th, soon struggling
Whitsundays produced a remarkable burst to win going away at Kelso last week having looked a beaten horse with two to jump. He is turned out again quickly under a penalty but clearly has his quirks. CASUAL CAVALIER has been gradually coming to hand and is back on the same mark as when successful over course and distance just over a year ago. Brian Hughes keeps faith with George Bewley’s gelding, who gets the nod. Sharney Sike is a three-times course winner but it’s not certain the big drop in distance will suit Stuart Coltherd’s veteran, who hasn’t won in almost three years.
Whitsundays (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along before 7th, soon outpaced, headway from 2 out, led run-in, ran on strongly, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Vengeur De Guye (11-12) by 16l, 5 ran.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 16l behind Rosquero (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Sharney Sike 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 11th, not fluent 12th, weakened 14th, pulled up before 4 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Charlie Snow Angel 4-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 7 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Sky Full Of Stars (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Jaunty Thor 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, outpaced before 3 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Brother Scott (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 8, 22 3/4l behind Roxyfet (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.