keen tracking leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed when hit next, hit last, kept on same pace
prominent until weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, driven out
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on
mid-division, ridden, headway after 3 out, hit next, hung right, stayed on well from last
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on
chased leaders until mistake, stumbled 5th, soon weakened
mistake 1st, always in rear
always towards rear
jumped right throughout, mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, went badly right last, stayed on
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
led, clear 5th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
went left 3rd, always towards rear
held up early, tracked leader after 4th, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until weakened 3 out
Factotum, YOU'RE THE TOP and Proper appeal as the three to concentrate on here and we'll side with the course and distance winner You're The Top. The selection was travelling well when falling in a Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day that hasn't worked out too badly; he was given plenty of time to recover from his exertions there and ran out a ready winner on his return to action last month. This is tougher but he looks up to the task. Factotum was a progressive stayer on the level for Luca Cumani and made a satisfactory start for his new connections when second at Market Rasen. He was beaten some way but there should be plenty of improvement to come although it's debateable as to whether a drop in trip at a relatively sharp track will bring out the best in him. Proper sports a tongue tie for the first time despite having won both starts over hurdles. There are more races to be won with him but he looks up against it conceding weight to a couple of fair sorts. Better ground may enable My Moment to recapture his best form whilst Uffa Fox would be a threat to all if able to reproduce his bumper form over obstacles but there's been little sign of that to date and we fancy You're The Top to come out on top.
Proper (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ran on, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Classic Swain (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
My Moment (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Led, headed and blundered last, driven and one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Trafalgar Road (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
You're The Top (FR) 2-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching last, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Wade Farm Billy (11-0) by 9l, 12 ran.
Valento 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 14, 27l behind Stage Acclaim (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Bernabeu (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off, 24th of 27, well behind Sandyzar (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar '08.
Factotum 7-2 (10-8) Held up, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on to take 3rd flat, 2nd of 8, 20l behind Monterrico (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Persian Storm (GER) 9-2 (11-0) Pulled early and soon prominent, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Art Trend (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) fm in Mar.
Pugilist 40-1 (11-2) Not always fluent, in rear, reminders after 5th, lost touch 8th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Ogee (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Richard The Third 250-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, led after 1st, headed after next, dropped to rear before 5th, blundered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mikael D'haguenet (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Snark (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division until lost place and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 21l behind Western Roots (10-8) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (5) gd in Aug (flat).
Tchang Goon (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6th, 14th of 15, 44l behind Kangaroo Court (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
The Black Baron (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Mid-division and keen, blundered 2nd, driven and one paced from 2 out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Trafalgar Road (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Uffa Fox (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 4 out, hit next, soon weakened, 4th of 11, well behind Enfant De Lune (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Cossack Prince 33-1 (10-7) Led until 20 lengths clear, still 15 lengths clear 3 out, reduced lead and joined next, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind First Avenue (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
It's My Day (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, led to 2nd, stayed prominent, led 6th to 3 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 11, 33l behind Sam Lord (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Honeycombe 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 8th of 10, 38l behind Petit Fleur (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Muffett's Dream 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders early, tailed off from 6th, 13th of 14, well behind Light Yield (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec '07.
Miss Cruisecontrol 28-1 (9-12) Jumped big, always in rear, lost touch 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Sam Lord (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
