keen close up, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from next
pressed leader, hit 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed last, no extra
close up, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, every chance when landed awkwardly last, rallied flat to press winner just held
pulled hard in rear, outpaced 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
keen, in touch, headway before 2 out, ridden to lead when hit last, pressed flat, ran on gamely
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 3 out, stayed on towards finish
held up towards rear, jumped awkwardly 2nd and next, ridden 3 out, weakened next
raced wide, close up, hit 3 out, ridden next, driven and stayed on to go 3rd towards finish
Lord Topper, who won an all-weather maiden at Chelmsford back in October, is very lightly-raced and easily the most interesting of the newcomers but will need to be useful to get the better of SPIRITUAL MAN (NAP). Jonjo O’Neill’s novice was only headed at the last when fourth behind the smart River Wylde at Ludlow in January having earlier run well behind subsequent Betfair Hurdle second Movewiththetimes at Wincanton - this looks much easier. Coyoacan was a fair third here on his hurdles bow when easy to back and will no doubt improve on that. He looks the danger ahead of Cosmic King and Head High.
Cosmic King (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 33l behind Azzuri (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Coyoacan (FR) 22-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind So Celebre (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Spiritual Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led, headed before last, kept on and well held run-in, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind River Wylde (11-11) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Gift From God 33-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Protest (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Head High (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway from 3 out, led 2 out and pecked, headed before last, one pace, 6th of 15, 8 3/4l behind So Celebre (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Jassur 11-1 (8-13) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 17 1/4l behind World's Greatest (9-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp (5) gf in May.
Lord Topper 8-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, stayed on well, led towards finish, won at Chelmsford City 1m 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Potters Lady Jane (9-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Theodorico (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 20 1/4l behind Welliesinthewater (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Tynecastle Park 4-1 (9-1) Tracked clear leading pair until 7f out, chased leaders, weakened under pressure 4f out, 7th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Canadian Diamond (10-2) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
