made all, ridden approaching 3 out, 2 lengths up 2 out, stayed on well
always last, not fluent 3rd, mistake 12th and 13th, weakened 14th
2nd or 3rd, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened 2 out
2nd or 3rd, mistake 3rd, challenged after 3 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths down 2 out, held after, stayed on
Dandy Dan won a bumper then a novices' hurdle on his first two starts last year but hasn't progressed as expected though he ran well for a long way in a Stratford handicap on just his second start over fences. Eshtiaal, a useful performer on the Flat and five times a winner over hurdles, hasn't taken to fences so far but wouldn't have been sent here unless better was expected. Three-times point-to-point winner Fair Exchange, who was engaged at Ludlow yesterday, had run very poorly in Class 3 handicaps over fences the previous twice but LORD TOPPER has to be considered on his second start over the bigger obstacles. Twice a winner over 3m2f at Newton Abbot this summer, he deserves another crack at fences after making mistakes at Worcester last August and Page Fuller's claim can see him home. Molly Childers makes her chasing debut after an absence since a very good run over hurdles at Uttoxeter in May and looks the type to make a chaser.
Dandy Dan (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders on outside, outpaced in 3rd from 16th, not fluent 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure between last 2, left 3rd last, well held flat, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Buachaill Alainn (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Eshtiaal (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Soon led, headed at 3rd, 3rd after 4th, dropped to 5th before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Hardback (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Jun.
Lord Topper 11-2 (11-1) Led, hit 6th, headed next, chased leader until 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Timeforben (10-6) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Molly Childers (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Black Sam Bella (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
Fair Exchange (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) In touch on outside, reminders after 11th, lost place 14th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
