chasing leaders in 4th when fell 3 out
held up in close touch, smooth headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, pushed in to lead before last, driven out
held up last, ridden along briefly and looked to struggle after 5th, stayed on into poor 3rd last
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, wandered before 4th and 5th, ridden and weakened quickly approaching 2 out
sweating, raced keenly, led, headed soon after 4 out, soon under pressure and beaten, tailed off
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, soon led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner but kept on
YOU'RE THE TOP can live up to his name and make a winning return, with William Hogarth and Pterodactyl taken to chase him home. William Hogarth has run with credit on each of his hurdling outings, perhaps running his best race to date when a good runner-up at Cheltenham a fortnight ago. He has race fitness on his side but may just lack the selection's turn of foot. After successive wins at Towcester, Pterodactyl was thought good enough by his experienced trainer to contest the highly competitive Swinton Hurdle at Haydock. He was outclassed there, and that may also have been the case in a classy affair at Chepstow last Saturday. However, this represents a drop in class and he can give a good account. You're The Top is a very useful type who finished off last season with successive wins at Kempton. He is highly regarded by his handler, and You're The Top, who will enjoy the decent ground, can take this en route to a chasing campaign.
Pterodactyl (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up, pushed along and weakened 7th, soon in rear, tailed off when hit last, last of 6, well behind Reve De Sivola (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
You're The Top (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) In touch, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, driven out, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating The Black Baron (10-12) by 2l, 18 ran.
Valento 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, brought down on bend after 5th, in a race won by Mutual Friend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf, 15 ran.
Kristallo (GER) (9-0) 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Warstein (9-0) at Halle(GER) 1m 3f stk in Sep (flat).
Leptis Magna 25-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th until after 7th, stopped quickly after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 43l behind Star Tenor (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf.
William Hogarth 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, chased winner when hit 5th, 5 lengths down 2out, closed when not fluent last, challenged flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind The Jigsaw Man (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gf.
