made all, not fluent 5th, going best and went clear from 3 out, shaken up and much reduced advantage run-in, kept on well, always doing enough
tracked leaders, hit 8th, ridden along and made no impression from 3 out
in rear, pushed along after 11th, became detached after 13th, tailed off
in touch, outpaced after 4 out when ridden along, rallied and made good headway approaching final fence, soon every chance, kept on well flat, always held
NonRunner
Raddon Top has gone up 7lb for winning at Exeter but has taken well to fences. Wind surgery may have helped winning hurdler Stormy Flight but this is a competitive affair with the fast-improving Monbeg Genius heading the weights as he goes in search of a hat-trick. REE OKKA (NAP) just failed to overhaul the more-experienced Tide Times when upped in trip at Ludlow. He won on soft ground over hurdles last year and can open his account over the larger obstacles today despite the claims of December’s course and distance winner Super Survivor and Surrey Quest, who was behind Jamie Snowden’s charge at Uttoxeter but is 11lb better off.
Monbeg Genius (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 2nd until next, remained handy, went 2nd again 4 out, upsides going best 2 out, quickened to lead run-in, soon clear, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating First Lord De Cuet (11-10) by 5l, 5 ran.
Ree Okka 10-11fav (11-9) Held up in last, briefly ridden before 6th, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, headway to press for 2nd 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well for 2nd near finish, nearest finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Tide Times (11-2) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Surrey Quest (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 2nd, well held in 4th when hit 2 out, 4th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Tea For Free (11-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Raddon Top (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up in touch out wide, chased leading pair 10th, went 2nd 13th, led omitted 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating New Age Dawning (11-10) by 8 1/2l, 8 ran.
Stormy Flight (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Towards rear on outside, closed 10th, weakened before 12th, left remote 4th before 3 out, 4th of 8, dist behind Dalamoi (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Super Survivor (IRE) 85-40 (10-9) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd before 8th, pushed before 14th where pecked on landing, ridden to join leader 3 out, hit front before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Mister Coffey (11-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
