tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, led 8th, headed 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out
in touch in rear, mistakes, outpaced 8th, 9 lengths last when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leader, not fluent 1st or 5th, one pace in 3rd from 2 out, no extra last
held up, closed 3rd, mistake 7th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
led, not keen and reminder before 7th, headed 8th, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, held towards finish
TOPTHORN was having his first start since November when making all at Ludlow a couple of weeks ago and though raised 8lb he should have few problems completing a quick double against out-of-form rivals. Escort'men has never won over fences though he's often raced way out of his class and takes a big drop in grade. He looks the main threat as Health Is Wealth's three chasing victories all came at Plumpton on very fast ground two years ago.
Manger Hanagment (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Prominent on outside, reminder and lost place after 13th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by See U Bob (11-1) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Escort'men (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Not fluent, always in rear, tailed off, 8th of 9, 32l behind Fairy Rath (10-1) at Ascot 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd.
Topthorn 10-3 (10-4) Made all, clear 3 out, stayed on flat, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Sublime Talent (11-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
Great Kicker (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Led until before 4th, chased leader until weakened quickly before 6th, soon tailed off, blundered 3 out and pulled up, in a race won by Helium (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 13 ran.
Health Is Wealth (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 4th, struggling 10th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Fairy Rath (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
