held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, soon reminders, ridden before last, one pace
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace
in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, every chance before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, pushed along before and reminders 5 out, weakened next
in touch, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway before 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, weakened from 3 out
close up, outpaced 4 out, headway before 3 out, led before last, drew clear run-in
Top Billing certainly invoked the ire of the handicapper when winning a much weaker race over course and distance last month. He's been raised 16lb but did land the spoils with his head in his chest. ONE CONEMARA was just starting to feel the pinch when coming down on his reappearance at Cheltenham in November but that was only his fourth start over hurdles and plenty of winners have come out of that race. This may be within his capabilities and he gets the nod ahead of the unpredictable Abnaki and Abruzzi, who weakened quickly at Chepstow last time. Many of the others have been struggling over fences and Keltic Rhythm has had plenty of chances.
Abnaki (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 7th, soon lost place, 6th of 7, well behind Cyrien Star (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
One Conemara (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 5th and driven when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Thomas Crapper (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Viva Steve (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led 1st, soon lost place, weakened 5 out, 7th of 9, well behind Bucking The Trend (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Colebrooke 12-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, mistake and lost place 12th, behind when went badly right 14th and pulled up, in a race won by Presented (10-5) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Streams Of Whiskey (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Led or disputed lead, headed narrowly after 4 out, kept on and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Green Flag (11-5) at Newcastle 3m (3) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Abruzzi 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leader until 6th, lost place and driven next, losing touch when jumped slowly next, well tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Awaywiththegreys (11-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Union Du Chenet (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 12th of 14, 33l behind Swinging Hawk (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Keltic Rhythm (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bygones Sovereign (10-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Top Billing 4-1fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, went 4th before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last on bit, shaken up and kept on well, won at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jan beating Burnthill (9-7) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Everaard (USA) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, weakened from 13th, 5th of 7, 18l behind Swing Hard (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
