held up, headway after 7th, ridden to lead before last, held on flat
chased leaders after 6th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat
held up, always behind
behind until kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
chased leaders to 7th, soon behind
dead heat, mid-division, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last
in touch, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next
in touch, hit 3 out, effort next, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on, held near finish
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division on outside, headway 6th, effort 3 out, weakened from next
behind, short lived effort after 7th, weakened from 3 out
Top The Bill gets a narrow vote over Greenfort Brave and Pennyhill Thyne, with Tickateal also to be noted. Top The Bill seems to need strong handling, as he hung badly to the left when well held at Southwell last time, but Keith Mercer has won on him before, at Wetherby in January 2005. The son of Topanoora is not a reliable sort based on efforts since then, but with a slight step up in trip to help, he may well prove the one to be on. Greenfort Brave was successful on his last trip over, at Perth nearly a month ago, but will need every yard of this trip and more, and a bigger danger may be Pennyhill Thyne, who hails from last year's winning stable. The six-year-old had Greenfort Brave's measure at Downpatrick recently, and is better off at the weights now as well. Tickateal fell at the third here last time, but has claims on an earlier success at Market Rasen. For the winner we return to Top The Bill.
High Country (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 14, 24l behind Ad Murum (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
North Landing (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Behind when refused at the 10th in race won by Pams Oak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 12 ran.
Greenfort Brave (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leader, improved to lead after 4 out, challenged last, headed run-in, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Pennyhill Thyne (10-11) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 gd.
Tickateal 9-1 (10-13) Close up on inside when fell at the 3rd in race won by Ad Murum (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 14 ran.
Top The Bill (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Led to 2nd, remained close up, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Airgusta (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Ramblees Holly 12-1 (10-8) Was towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 13, 11l behind Lord On The Run (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Welsh Dream 25-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace until weakened flat, 5th of 8, 11l behind Lutea (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Pennyhill Thyne (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to 3rd at 6th, improved to 2nd 2 out, stayed on well from last to lead run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 gd beating Greenfort Brave (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
My Good Lord (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway after 6th, mistake 8th, saddle soon slipped, went 2nd 9th, 10 lengths down when unseated rider 3 out in race won by McQueen (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Jul, 9 ran.
Baawrah 5-1 (10-6) Held up, ridden and weakened after 5 out, 6th of 12, well behind Brandy Wine (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Nicozetto (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 8, well behind Lutea (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Tioga Gold (IRE) 22-1 (9-13) Towards rear, lost touch halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Moyne Pleasure (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
