tracked leaders until fell 11th
led to 5th, tracked leader, led again 8th (water), fell 4 out
tracked leaders, left close up in 2nd 4 out, led narrowly after next, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
held up towards rear from 3rd, badly hampered and lost ground 11th, no danger after
tracked leader, led 5th to 8th (water), left in narrow lead again when hit 4 out, headed after next, outpaced before 2 out, well held after
held up in touch on outer, tracked leaders after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, not pace of leaders before last, no impression in 4th after
tracked leaders, left close up in 3rd 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, driven to chase front pair before last, soon ridden, rallied to chase winner final 100 yards, held near finish
held up in rear, slightly hampered 4 out, tracked leaders before next, challenged on inside before 2 out, led going well soon after, ridden and kept on under pressure final 100 yards, held on near finish
TOP NOTCH has improved with every run over fences and won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his latest start. He was fifth in last year’s Champion Hurdle and second in the Triumph Hurdle the year before so is suited by The Festival atmosphere and looks a value bet against likely hot favourite Yorkhill. Willie Mullins’ gelding is a Festival winner himself and unbeaten in two runs over fences but his jumping was far from foot-perfect last time at Naas and his stable has not made its usual strong start to the week. Disko made all and jumped well when beating Balko Des Flos in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month but is unlikely to get such an easy lead here as Politologue is also a front-runner who had excuses for his only defeat so far over the larger obstacles. Flying Angel came right back to form in the Kingmaker at Warwick and is no mug.
Baily Cloud (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Raced in 4th, a little keen, 3rd from 7th, pushed along in 4th before straight, no impression when hit last and unseated rider, at Leopardstown 2m 3f (1) gd in Jan.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, a little keen, soon 3rd, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 3rd of 6, 7 3/4l behind Disko (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Disko (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Raced in 2nd, on terms from before 3rd, soon led, mistake 5th, went on 3 out, stayed on well run-in, reduced lead closing stages but always in command, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb beating Our Duke (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Flying Angel (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd from 8th, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m (1) hvy in Feb beating Gino Trail (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Pressed leader, led after 4th, headed next, ridden after 4 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 1f (2) sft in Feb beating As De Mee (11-6) by 2l, 4 ran.
Politologue (FR) 1-8fav (11-3) Made all, clear before 3 out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 4f (2) gs in Feb beating Pain Au Chocolat (11-7) by 11l, 2 ran.
Top Notch (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 4 out, 2nd travelling well before 3 out, produced to lead last, quickened clear run-in, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb beating Baron Alco (11-3) by 5l, 5 ran.
Yorkhill (IRE) 1-5fav (11-1) Raced in 3rd, a little keen and improved to lead from 4th, not fluent next and inclined to jump slightly left after, still travelling smoothly straight, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 3f (1) gd in Jan beating Jett (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
