with leaders, led 3rd, made rest, came clear after 2 out, comfortably
prominent, chased winner 5th until 3 out, weakened and eased approaching 2 out
held up, mistake 6th, soon behind
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden and no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, shaken up after 6th, chased winner 3 out, no impression from 2 out
led to 3rd, chased winner to 5th, behind from 7th
held up, never on terms
Fiori would hold solid claims on the best of his form and has Tony McCoy on front but his recent form is uninspiring so preference is for Tipp Top, who gets the vote over The Leader. The selection disappointed on his handicap chase debut at Doncaster in January but put that effort behind him when successful in a beginners' chase over 2m6f last month. That effort would suggest that Owen Brennan's gelding is potentially well treated off a mark of 89 and he gets the vote to follow up. Recent Plumpton handicap hurdle winner Caballe is potentially well treated on her chasing debut but has yet to jump a fence in public and of more interest may be The Leader, who is at least reliable but could do with being dropped a couple of pounds by the handicapper. Hisar is capable but faces no easy task from 8lbs out of the weights and for the winner we return to Tipp Top.
Fiori 14-1 Chased leaders, ridden 7th, weakening when mistake next, 8th of 16, 24l behind Powder Creek at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs.
The Leader 4-1 Tracked leaders, led briefly 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, last of 5, 20l behind Harik at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Mar.
Tipp Top (IRE) 6-1 Raced wide, led 2nd, stayed prominent, led 2 out, hit last, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (E) sft in Mar beating Bayoss by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Caballe (USA) 9-2fav Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 15l behind Looks The Business at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (F) gd in Mar.
Red Hustler (IRE) 16-1 5th of 6, 31l behind Let's Fly at Wadebridge 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Hisar (IRE) 11-2 Led until after 3rd, gradually lost position, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ravenscar at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (F) gf, 14 ran.
Hi Lily 12-1 In touch until ridden and outpaced from 4 out, 5th of 6, 23l behind Baikaline at Plumpton 2m 4f mdn chs (F) gd in Mar.