led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, mistake 6th, led when not fluent 3 out, not fluent last, driven out
held up, not fluent 2nd, ridden and effort when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra last
edged right and slowly away, soon chasing leaders, not fluent 2nd, closed and hanging right 7th, led briefly before not fluent 3 out, just over 1 length down last, no impression towards finish
Nonrunner
Crucial Role was withdrawn from a race at Haydock yesterday in which Top Ville Ben was an intended runner. Henry Daly’s charge was second at Ludlow on his latest start but still needs to brush up his jumping. Cave Top is at the top of his game but 6lb higher than when scoring over course and distance last time. Nothing went right for EATON HILL (NAP) at Ascot last week and he also met trouble in-running on his reappearance at Cheltenham. That shouldn’t be an issue in this small field and he’s taken to open his seasonal account today. Robin Of Locksley looks a few pounds too high back over hurdles.
Robin Of Locksley (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) With leader, jumped left 1st, led after 4th, headed before 6th, led after 8th, headed 10th, led 12th until 4 out, mistake and weakened next, left 3rd last, 3rd of 6, dist behind Eamon An Cnoic (11-2) at Haydock 2m 5f (2) hvy in Dec.
Cave Top (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Al Destoor (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Eaton Hill (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, bit slipped and pulled way through to join leaders on wide outside before 5th, continued to hang badly left, eased after next, ran on in home straight, never able to recover, 6th of 8, 22l behind Golan Fortune (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Crucial Role 3-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, closed when not fluent 3rd, chased winner 6th, ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner when dived at 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Robin The Raven (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Led, clear until 6th, not fluent 3 out, edged right after 2 out, headed last, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Fixed Rate (10-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
