Take The High Road showed promise on the Flat in Ireland and is a half-brother to two winning hurdlers, including the useful Elgin. Keith Dalgleish picked him up for 20,000gns at the sales in October but he ran a shocker on his first for his new yard on Fibresand. AARDWOLF won three times on the Flat for Mark Johnston. Warren Greatrex will have given him plenty of schooling and, with the champion on board, he’ll likely be a short price to make a winning start over timber with none of the others making much appeal.
Aardwolf (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Silvery Moon (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
About Glory 50-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 3rd, not fluent next, soon detached, tailed off from 4 out, last of 6, dist behind Albert's Back (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Investigation 66-1 (9-10) Reluctant to leave stalls and went right, lost many lengths, behind until recover 8f out and took keen hold, weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Sanches (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Take The High Road 13-8fav (9-5) In touch, switched to outer 4f out, ridden and no impression final 2f, 5th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Abraj Dubai (9-0) at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Titan 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some late minor headway, never on terms, 7th of 12, 36 1/2l behind Style De Garde (11-4) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
