led narrowly, headed before 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost place before next, kept on same pace, weakened from last
held up in last trio, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after next
tracked leaders, driven and lost place 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, driven to chase leaders on outside after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd after last, no impression
held up in last trio, headway before 3 out, soon chased leaders, ridden before next, kept on same pace, went 4th from last, never on terms
with leader, led before 3 out, soon clear, stayed on well, unchallenged after, comfortably
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, driven and one pace from 3 out, never on terms
held up in last trio, blundered 7th, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
non runner
Top Billing only failed by a neck to complete a five-timer at Doncaster last time but has gone up a further 4lb and Nicky Richards may have a better chance of success with course and distance winner Isaacstown Lad. BOX OFFICE has been threatening to win a race like this for a while and this slightly longer trip should suit. He is getting little respite from the handicapper but holds recent Huntingdon winner Taj Badalandabad on their run together at Sandown in December. Woodford Island didn't beat much at Navan but may be improving so warrants respect and makes more appeal than the other Irish raider Champagne James. The Boss's Dream has been in good form but has shot up the weights as a result.
Top Billing 7-1 (11-9) Led, headed after 3 out, led again after next, headed before last, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Zeroeshadesofgrey (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Box Office (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway between last two, not much room before the last, kept on run-in, almost snatched 3rd, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Simply A Legend (10-5) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Horizontal Speed (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In touch in 4th, quickly weakened before 3 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Baywing (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, no impression 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 10, 11 3/4l behind Flintham (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Taj Badalandabad (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway from 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, 3 lengths clear flat, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Westren Warrior (11-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Led to 4th, tracked leader, hampered by loose horse 9th, lost place 5 out, weakening when blundered next, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Jan.
Tradewinds (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Atlantic Gold (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Champagne James (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Inclined to jump slightly left, held up in 5th, closer order 5th, soon 3rd, slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression, left 2nd from last and slightly impeded, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Arctic Skipper (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Woodford Island (IRE) 1-5fav (11-9) Prominent, a little keen, not fluent 6th and on terms, led before straight, asserted from 3 out, ridden along from next, well clear and not fluent last, ridden out run-in, kept on, won at Navan 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Be The Hero (11-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Mountain Tunes (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In rear, jumped left and not fluent, mistake 2nd, behind 9th, pulled up before next, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Quel Elite (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway halfway ridden before 3 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Sir Vinski (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
The Boss's Dream (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, led 2nd, not fluent 3rd, headed 4th, led before 8th, stayed on gamely, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Tambura (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
