held up towards rear, didn\'t jump with fluency, pushed along briefly after 3rd, shaken up approaching 3 out, passed tiring rivals after last
led, joined briefly 3rd, pushed along approaching 2 out, faced strong challenge approaching last, good jump last, headed final 110yds, kept on but no match for winner
prominent, ridden when mistake 3 out, made challenge approaching last, kept on strongly to lead final 110yds, won going away
midfield, didn\'t jump with fluency, pushed along approaching 3 out, no extra and weakened approaching last
prominent, not fluent 1st, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always towards rear, not fluent 5th, pushed along approaching 7th (usual 8th), made no impression
didn\'t jump with fluency, towards rear of midfield, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
prominent, pressed leader 3rd, shaken up approaching 2 out, kept on after last but no match for first 2
NonRunner
NonRunner
THEME TUNE (NAP) can follow up a first victory in a handicap at Haydock at the end of November with the second having gone one better at Hereford earlier this week. Houston Texas is 3-6 over fences but has yet to place over timber and Imperial Sachin's is having a first run for a new yard and a first outing since August. Gentleman De Mai is unexposed, however, and Top Of The Bill probably produced a career-best when winning at Chepstow last month. Tiger Jet has won two of his last four but will need to learn to settle if he is to enjoy more success.
Top Of The Bill (IRE) 10-3fav (10-13) Towards rear, pushed along and headway after 4 out, ridden in 6th and plenty to do before 3 out, steady headway but raced awkwardly from 3 out, pressed leader last, ran on strongly run-in and led final 110 yards on run-in, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Paricolor (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bushypark (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Led, headed narrowly with a circuit to go, pushed along and weakened tamely before 2 out, pulled up, at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Theme Tune (IRE) 10-3 (12-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, went close 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and disputed lead before last, stayed on strongly and drew clear run-in, won at Haydock 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Post Chaise (10-7) by 7 1/2l, 8 ran.
Imperial Sachin's (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out and soon pushed along, ran on same pace, 4th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Blakeney Point (11-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Houston Texas (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Mid-division, not fluent and bumped rival 5th, headway into midfield 9th, pushed along to challenge before 3 out, faded next, 6th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Fontaine Collonges (11-1) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Tiger Jet (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway and pushed along before 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Rafferty's Return (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Gentleman De Mai (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, outpaced before last, kept on flat, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Charm Offensive (12-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Tough Out (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along home turn, ridden after 2 out, stayed on one pace, not fluent last, 4th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Hoganville (11-7) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Mighty Thunder 15-2 (12-0) Led, went clear after 2nd until 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off when fell last, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Gentleman Valley (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Towards rear, in touch, headway after 4 out, went close 2nd approaching 3 out where jumped left, soon ridden, kept on, mistake last and always held run-in, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Sidi Ismael (12-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
