chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened approaching last
led, headed and mistake last, kept on
held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leader, led last, ran on
tracked leader, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, under pressure 14th, lost place next, soon beaten
RAPID INCREASE may prove hard to beat and is preferred to High Jack and Topless. Tony McCoy's mount is 7lbs higher than when scoring at Hereford under similar conditions but that form stands out in the context of this race and he's been found the perfect opportunity to supplement his gains if he can build on that performance. He hasn't gone on as expected in the past and if he fails to this time then High Jack may be the one to pick up the pieces. He's been struggling to show his best form this season but his yard is in better form now and he could bounce back. Topless has yet to win a race over fences but she has gone close on a number of occasions and should be able to play a leading role at this level. Aces Or Better has questions to answer whilst Wheres Johnny has struggled to impose himself in the closing stages of late and he could struggle to get the better of Rapid Increase.
Topless (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Prominent, led 5th until after 7th, pressed winner until 4 out, kept on for clear 2nd, soon held, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Leading Contender (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
Aces Or Better (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place when mistake 10th, soon struggling, 8th of 13, 39l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 14th, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec beating Sir Winston (11-3) by 3l, 14 ran.
High Jack (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Tracked winner until 3rd, chased winner again 10th until approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 7l behind Senor Shane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Wheres Johnny 3-1fav (10-6) Held up in rear, hit 4th, progressed to 5th and pushed along before 13th, left 3rd 4 out, never near winner after, plugged on to challenge for 2nd when pecked last 2, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Kawagino (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
