held up, shaken up 11th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 15th
held up, blundered 9th, mistakes 13th and 14th, weakening when hit 15th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, left distant 3rd from last
led to after 4th, led 6th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, held when left in lead near finish
in touch, chased leaders 10th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, left 2nd flat
chased leader, led after 4th to 6th, mistake 11th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 15th
mid-division, ridden and headway after 12th, led 3 out, drifted badly left from last then jinked right and unseated rider close to finish
prominent, lost place 9th, tailed off 10th, pulled up after 12th
towards rear, weakened 14th, pulled up before 4 out
We like the look of TOPLESS in this handicap chase and she is nominated to get the better of Cresswell Willow and Pangbourne. The selection wasn't beaten far behind Notabotheronme at Chepstow last time over 3m. She is a thorough stayer so this step-up in trip will suit her and she can gallop her rivals into the ground. Cresswell Willow looks her chief rival as she is chasing the hat-trick today after winning comfortably when beating Down's Folly last month. She is another who is upped in trip but she has yet to prove she stays this far and on that basis we will take her on. Pangbourne unseated his rider at Bangor last time when still in contention, and he made a bad mistake in his previous race. His jumping is a worry and for that reason we will take him on. I Hear Thunder was well beaten at Cheltenham last time, but that was quite a hot race and he is entitled to fare better in this company. However, this looks a good opportunity for Topless who can grab the prize.
Joaaci (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always struggling in rear, tailed off when blundered 19th, 10th of 16, well behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Cresswell Willow (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, smooth headway after 5 out, led 4 out, ridden out, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Down's Folly (11-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Pangbourne (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, close 2nd when unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Bannister Lane (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 10th of 16, 47l behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Georges Boy (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Soon chased leader, led 5th until 8th, chased leader, 3rd when hit 4 out and weakened soon after, 7th of 18, 25l behind Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Topless (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Held up, ridden after 11th, headway approaching 5 out, challenged for 3rd from 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Notabotheronme (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Ironside (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Close up, led 5th to 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Fine By Me (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 13th and fell at the 14th in race won by New Perk (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
