prominent, keen, every chance approaching 3 out, ridden when jumped right 2 out, one pace flat
held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
pulled hard, mistake 6th, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
made all, hung right after 2nd, hit 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, all out
in touch, lost place 7th, rallied 9th, every chance approaching 3 out, ridden when stumbled and jumped right 2 out, kept on flat
prominent, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
pecked 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
Tipp Top has leading claims and gets the nod over Scratch The Dove and Polish Pilot. This certainly should not take too much winning, and on the strength of a last-time out success at Fakenham, Tipp Top has a stronger chance than most. Owen Brennan's charge showed great determination to see off the persistent challenge of Iloveturtle at Fakenham last month in what was a poor race, but he did it well, and although this is a big drop back in trip, the stiff climb to the finish will bring his stamina into play. If he sets out in the lead, the nine-year-old could well have most of these off the bridle before the home turn, and it is very likely that J P McNamara will adopt those tactics again. Scratch The Dove is better treated over fences than hurdles but has yet to impress, while Polish Pilot is a shadow of his former self. It is hard to get enthusiastic about any of the remainder, and this should be well within the grasp of Tipp Top.
Scarlet Fantasy 50-1 (11-4) Jumped right, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Malko De Beaumont (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Scratch The Dove 25-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, challenged 17th, soon one pace, 5th of 8, 22l behind Motcombe (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Top Gale (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, hit 9th, weakened 4 out, in 5th when blundered badly 3 out, 5th of 6, 37l behind Viciana (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Tipp Top (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) With leader, led briefly 7th, led again 11th, headed 3 out, led again next, blundered last, just held on, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb beating Iloveturtle (10-10) by a nk, 6 ran.
New Leader (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, weakened soon after next, 6th of 9, well behind Merry Storm (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Auditor 25-1 (10-2) Behind, headway 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened before next, 8th of 12, 27l behind Before The Mast (10-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Polish Pilot (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Randolph O'Brien (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Uncle Ada (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mistake 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Beauchamp Prince (10-8) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy.
