led, pecked 3rd, awkward next, went right 5th, went right again and hit 7th, headed 4 out, pushed along and lost 2nd before next, weakened, mistake last, just held on for 3rd
raced keenly, chased leading pair, tracked leader after 2nd until 6th, pushed along after 8th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader until after 2nd, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 6th, led 4 out until 2 out, soon well held, no chance with winner
held up last, hit 8th, plugged on pressing for modest 4th soon after last
held up in 4th place, smooth headway before 4 out, soon 3rd, led and went left 2 out, soon clear, easily
Top Man made a promising hurdling debut at Kempton in October but didn’t follow that up at Wincanton. He’ll need to bounce back here and there are a couple of useful-looking recruits from bumpers in this. Mr Perfect has placed in both outings so far, though the going is an unknown. IMPERIAL ESPRIT ran in a couple of decent bumpers at Chepstow last winter. He was a beaten favourite in a second of those but should to do better now going hurdling.
Call Off The Dogs (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Oscarsman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Imperial Esprit (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Made most until over 3f out, one pace after, 5th of 15, 11 1/2l behind Some Detail (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) gs in Feb.
Mr Perfect (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Minella Tara (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec.
The Honeydipper (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Led until 1st, behind 4th, pulled up before 3 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Top Man (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up, beaten 3 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Saint De Reve (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
