tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, reluctant and stopping quickly when pulled up before 6th
held up in last off the pace, left 4th before 6th, well behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up off the pace in 4th, left 3rd before 6th, closed after 3 out, went 2nd next, no chance with winner
chased winner who was clear before 2nd, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last
made all, jumped well, clear before 2nd, unchallenged
AT THE TOP has definitely shown shafts of promise in a couple of Southwell novice hurdles but has always looked a chaser in the making and it's no surprise to see Dan Skelton turn her attention to the larger obstacles at such an early stage of her development. It looks a significant move and this low-key chase looks an attractive starting point. She's taken to defy topweight with Mandys Boy seen as the main threat having performed creditably enough when a fair Catterick fourth behind Star Performer last month, the latter having franked the form subsequently. Neworld and Sir Note make their respective chasing debuts and Agentleman was pulled up on his only chase start and all have something to prove.
At The Top (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 2 out, went 4th before last, no impression, 4th of 14, 12 1/4l behind All Set To Go (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
Neworld (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Behind, headway into mid-division on outer after 3rd, chased leader before 3 out, ridden and lost place before next, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 28 3/4l behind Shrewd (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Agentleman (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Chased leader, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Mandy's Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Led, driven and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd flat, weakened in to 4th towards finish, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Star Presenter (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sir Note (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 5th, soon lost place, eased and pulled up after hurdle, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.