jumped well, made all, clear when shaken up between last 2, unchallenged
shade keen, held up 4th, went 3rd 8th, not fluent next, plugged on
shade keen, held up in 3rd, outpaced when lost 3rd at 8th, weakened after 3 out, mistake next
tracked winner throughout, pushed along after 3 out, hit next and slight peck, soon held, kept on for clear 2nd
Top Notch, a classy hurdler, may not have the size to make it to the top of the tree over fences but he was assured in his jumping when getting off the mark at Warwick 12 days ago following an opening third at Uttoxeter. Overtown Express will definitely be worth following when the mud starts flying as he's already won between the flags as well as twice over hurdles but Polkarenix will find easier tasks in the months ahead. Another French import, ROMAIN DE SENAM, is sure to know his job and can cash in on his weight-for-age allowance. He was only beaten a head over hurdles in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March having won earlier at Enghien and Wincanton.
Top Notch (FR) 1-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, challenged 8th, soon led, headed after hitting 4 out, led again going well before 2 out, clear approaching last, very easily, won at Warwick 2m (3) sft in Nov beating Pemba (10-2) by 15l, 4 ran.
Overtown Express (IRE) 5-2 (12-3) Chased leaders, close up 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd and beaten before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Potters Corner (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr.
Polkarenix (FR) (9-2) 14th of 16, 37 1/4l behind Eldacar (8-12) at Compiegne 1m 4f hcp gs in Mar.
Romain De Senam (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not always fluent, progress into 6th after 4 out, never on terms, well held when not fluent 2 out, blundered last, 5th of 9, dist behind Apple's Jade (10-7) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
