tracked leader to before 7th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 7th, ridden to lead approaching last, driven clear flat
raced keenly, made most, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat
chased leaders, hit 7th, lost place 4 out, behind from next
held up, headway approaching 3 out, driven and stayed on to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace flat
pulled hard in rear, mistake 4 out, driven after 2 out, 4th and no impression when not fluent last
Top Dressing, Le Roi Rouge and Fabulous Jet make most appeal in this handicap chase and the vote goes to Top Dressing. The selection won well last time when beating Yankee Holiday at Musselburgh and he clearly is progressing with his racing. He goes on this ground and with the yard in good form he is taken to complete the hat-trick. Le Roi Rouge will love the ground and he should be suited by this drop in trip after failing to get home over 2m4f at Haydock last time. Fabulous Jet is interesting as he will have needed the run at Bangor last time after a lengthy absence and although he has clearly had his problems, he would have claims on the pick of his form. Cyborg De Sou is not proven on the ground and looks worth taking on, and we will stick with Top Dressing who can continue his hot streak.
Top Dressing (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out, kept on well to lead flat, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating Yankee Holiday (10-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, headway 5 out, every chance approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Just For Men (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Stormy Beech 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, blundered 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Corlande (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Radar (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 4th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 13, 23l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Cyborg De Sou (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Held up, effort when hit 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 7, 17l behind Flake (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Fabulous Jet (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up and keen, headway 5th, mistake 8th, every chance 3 out, hung right from next, weakened after last, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Fencote Gold (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
