led, headed 5th, could not go pace of leader 2 out, kept on same pace from last
mid division, ridden and outpaced by leaders home turn, plugged on in 3rd
held up, struggling home turn, tailed off
chased leader, pushed along and struggling 4 out, pulled up 2 out
always in rear, never involved
chased leader, took it up after 5th, increased tempo 2 out, in control last, kept on well flat
held up, pushed along home turn when failed to go pace of leaders, weakened thereafter
mid division, ridden and outpaced home turn, never a factor
A Grade 2 winner over fences back in 2019, MISTER WHITAKER returned to winning ways over hurdles at Kelso on only his second outing for Donald McCain’s yard. He can defy a penalty and confirm running with Court At Slip. No Word Of A Lie finished closer at Aintree last time and is preferred to Glorious Spirit, who is penalised for an earlier course and distance success, while Bridge North made a satisfactory debut over timber when third at Ludlow last month and can figure with normal progress.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Prominent, pressed leader before 2 out, led after 2 out, pushed along before last, stayed on, always doing enough, won at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov beating Return Fire (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bridge North (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Last pair, modest 5th before 3 out, shaken up and plugged on in 3rd run-in, never nearer, 3rd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Current Mood (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f (2) gd in Nov.
Court At Slip (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, dropped to rear before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, always behind, 5th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Mister Whitaker (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov.
Get Going 33-1 (10-11) Led until after 1st, prominent, not fluent 2nd, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, 4th of 5, 23 1/4l behind Rocky Lake (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Glorious Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Towards rear, not fluent and lost position 5 out, detached soon after, 8th of 12, dist behind Saturn 'n Silk (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
No Word Of A Lie 7-2 (10-12) Led until 5th, pressed winner, lost place before last, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 9l behind Hillcrest (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Patagonia (FR) Ballingarry gelding out of Daramour.
Torngat (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and made headway after 3 out, outpaced after 2 out, kept on after last, 5th of 15, 28 1/2l behind Nurse Susan (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
