led, soon pressed, hard driven when challenged after 4 out, headed before 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, took closer order 7th, every chance 3 out, led approaching next, ran on well
chased leaders in 4th, took closer order 3 out, soon under pressure, mistake last, no extra closing stages
pressed leader, lost place 7th, rallied after next, mistake 9th, weakened 2 out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd closing stages
NonRunner
Only five face the starter in this rearranged Grade 2 and TOP NOTCH is likely to be a warm order, as he would have been had the race taken place at Huntingdon last Sunday. The six-year-old may not be built like a chaser but he’s a bold jumper who has an excellent strike-rate in top company. He was very impressive at this level at Ascot last month and is rated 6lb higher than former stable companion Vaniteux and 10lb higher than last year’s winner Josses Hill. It’s more than two years since Ptit Zig last won over fences and he’s better over hurdles while Max Ward has a mountain to climb on these terms, though will strip fitter for a run at Ascot over a trip too short.
Josses Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, lost place 10th, soon behind and struggling, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Top Notch (11-4) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Top Notch (FR) 5-2jfav (11-4) Chased leading pair, 2nd 12th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, impressive, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov beating Double Shuffle (11-1) by 8l, 9 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Always behind, 7th of 8, 21l behind Sir Valentino (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Ptit Zig (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, closed 8th, pushed along before 4 out, close up before 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 7, 18l behind Colin's Sister (10-10) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Max Ward (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, driven and outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 6th of 10, dist behind Exitas (10-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
