led, headed approaching 2 out, soon rallied, every chance last, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, driven to lead last, ridden out, ran on well
held up in rear, mistake 8th, outpaced 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leader, led before 2 out, strongly challenged when blundered and headed last, no extra closing stages
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, effort after 2 out, every chance last, kept on well
NonRunner
This looks a trappy contest as Grade 2 winner Cyrname has done his winning on sharper tracks so far. However, he is the top rated and this looks much too short for Thomas Patrick, who made giant strides last season. Mister Whitaker won on this card 12 months ago but RENE’S GIRL makes more appeal. She beat Happy Diva on identical terms in a Listed race at Huntingdon in February and was runner-up to Finian’s Oscar in a Grade 1 at Aintree in the spring when Cyrname was back in fourth.
Cyrname (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Led to 4 out, ridden after last, weakened last 75 yards, 4th of 6, 7l behind Finian's Oscar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden to chase front pair approaching last, stayed on strongly to challenge inside final 100 yards, led post, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar beating Rather Be (11-8) by hd, 19 ran.
Saint Leo (FR) (11-2) at Pau 2m 3f sft in Dec.
Rene's Girl (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) With leader early, tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Finian's Oscar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Happy Diva (IRE) 7-4 (10-13) Jumped boldly, tracked leading pair, close 2nd after 9th, led 3 out, good jump and quickened next, joined and good jump last, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Ascot 2m 5f (3) sft in Mar beating Adrien Du Pont (11-3) by 1l, 3 ran.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Made all, ridden and clear before last, kept on well, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr beating On Tour (10-8) by 4l, 16 ran.
