led, mistake last, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, challenged 2 out, driven to lead flat, ran on
dropped out and last, fell 1st
held up in 3rd, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly 6th, lost touch 3 out
Most of the prize money should be heading to Seven Barrows here with YOU'RE THE TOP a confident choice to beat stablemate Tanks For That, whilst Rockiteer should come home a clear third. Our selection is rated 139 over fences following a smooth first win and a subsequent third behind the smart Tazbar. That level of form sets the standard and all four of his wins have come at this trip, so the only real concern is the ground which will likely be the softest encountered. That said, conditions shouldn't be too testing and presumably connections wouldn't be running their charge here were it a real concern, so Barry Geraghty can be proven correct in his decision to ride this one over stablemate Tanks For That. Tony McCoy was aboard this son of Beneficial when he improved upon a modest chase debut to win at Plumpton. That decisive success prompted the handicapper to allot the seven-year-old a mark of 135 which, whilst advertising a fair level of ability, leaves him with a few pounds to find with our choice. Much of the meaningful opposition has been scared off by the aforementioned two, which should allow Rockiteer to take a clear third if he gets round. Henry Daly's charge has been beaten a long way in two similar races but has nothing to fear from 71-rated Harellie who is surely just here for a share of the prize money. You're The Top has only his stablemate to beat and providing the market doesn't drastically suggest otherwise we expect him to do that in style.
Tanks For That (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Led soon after 1st, mistake 2nd, hit 4 out and 3 out, drew clear soon after, hit 2 out, heavily eased flat, won at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chase (4) gs beating Bormo (11-0) by 15l, 8 ran.
You're The Top (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway on outside 9th, went 3rd after 3 out, beaten when hit 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Tazbar (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov stks (3) gs.
Harellie (IRE) 200-1 (10-11) Held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 3rd, weakened quickly approaching 12th, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Heathcliff (10-11) at Ludlow 3m beg chase (4) gd, 9 ran.
Rockiteer (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 16l behind I'm Delilah (10-6) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
