held up in mid-division, ridden on outside 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
mid-division on inside, switched left over 2f out, headway chasing leaders soon after, not clearest of runs over 1f out, no further headway
led, ridden along over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up in last trio, headway on inside chasing leaders 2f out, 6th and no further headway final furlong
raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd 7f out until ridden inside final 2f, chased leaders, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out
chased leader until 7f out, handy 3rd, switched out over 2f out, 4th and one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders out wide, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, closer tracking leaders 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, losing place when hampered and snatched up over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
soon steadied mid-division on inside, smooth headway tracking leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, clear when hung left towards finish, ran on well
This is the day’s feature and it’s attracted a quality field. Dr Sanderson has won a bumper, three hurdle races and a chase but Birchdale also carries the J P McManus colours and is one of three entries for Nicky Henderson. Nico de Boinville partners Son Of Camas, who is also a bumper and hurdles winner, but the terrier-like TOP NOTCH is a Grade 1 winner who should bounce off this surface and could run the finish out of these if wind surgery has had the desired effect. Jarveys Plate has decent form to his name over fences and hurdles and has won a bumper with The Flying Sofa and Topofthecotswolds also capable of running well at decent odds but this may be an insufficient test for the likes of Trincomalee, Endless Flight and The Mighty Don.
Birchdale (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in last pair, jumped slowly 5th, pushed along after 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, never on terms, last of 6, dist behind Dostal Phil (10-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Held up, switched right and progress approaching 4 out, soon pushed along and outpaced 3 out, kept on at one pace after slow jump last, 4th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Barton Knoll (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Endless Flight (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up, headway on inside 8th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 23 1/2l behind Solstice Star (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Jarveys Plate (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, ran on run-in, no threat, 6th of 15, 19 1/4l behind Monte Cristo (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mister Tickle (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders on outside, disputing 2nd after 4th until 10th, weakened before 13th, pulled up before 3 out, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Son Of Camas (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division at 9th, headway out wide chasing leaders after 13th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last, finished tired, 3rd of 10, 23 1/2l behind Killer Clown (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
The Flying Sofa (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Close up, chased leader when hampered 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Admiral Barratry (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Never travelled in last pair, mistake and dropped to last 14th, tailed off 17th, pulled up before next, at Taunton 3m 4f (2) sft in Jan.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Led until 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Stimulating Song (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Trincomalee 5-1 (11-7) Midfield early, chased leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), pushed along before omitted 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Mac Tottie (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Young Lieutenant (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Close up, led 2nd, joined 4 out, headed narrowly 3 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out, last of 19, 30 1/4l behind Captain Tom Cat (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Miss Malarky (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd bypassing omitted 2 out, kept on run-in, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Saumur (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Top Notch (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, gradually dropped back through field from 2nd, niggled along after 6th, not fluent next, tried to close before 2 out but no impression and well beaten when jumped left last, 6th of 8, 29 1/4l behind Mister Fisher (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
