with leader, left in lead 3 out, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, very easily
towards rear, chased clear pair from 3 out, went 2nd from 2 out until last, no extra
held up towards rear, kept on before 2 out, went 4th from 2 out, no impression
towards rear, plugged on before 2 out, went 2nd from last, no chance with winner
Mr Top Hat is race-fit and won over an extended 1m2f on the Flat. His stamina will have to be taken on trust on this heavy ground but he makes more appeal than stablemate and fellow hurdling newcomer Essenaitch. Flash De Clerval showed ability in Ireland and has had just the one run so far for Richard Newland while El Tornado sports the McManus colours and goes hurdling after a single run in a bumper. The form of the bumper at Ffos Las in February in which SHAKEM UP’ARRY finished a close-up third has been franked and he can shrug off an absence to make a winning start over timber.
Essenaitch (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Country'n'western (11-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Flash De Clerval (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Keen in touch, close up 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 14, 36l behind Igor (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Radjash 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, dist behind First Lord De Cuet (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
River Dart (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 10, 34 1/4l behind Tea Clipper (11-5) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4 1/4l behind King Roland (11-9) at Ffos Las 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Windsorlot (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, modest headway after 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Ballinsker (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Overtrumped 25-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, dist behind First Lord De Cuet (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
El Tornado (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 27 3/4l behind Soaring Glory (11-4) at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Mr Top Hat 9-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost place towards finish, 6th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Sea Fox (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Pirate Sam 125-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, always towards rear, 14th of 15, dist behind Emmas Joy (10-5) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.
