keen led, clear with winner 4th, ridden and headed flat, kept on
close up, disputed 3rd 4th, ridden 3 out, moderate 3rd when fell next
tracked leader, joined leader 5th, ridden 2 out, led flat, ran on
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, left moderate 3rd 2 out
close up, ridden and weakened 5th, left remote 4th 2 out, tailed off
TOP VILLE BEN is entitled to be a very short price in this given he has won all three starts under Rules. He’ll be suited by further in time but Nicky Henderson is keeping his campaign deliberately low key at present and puts up a 10lb claimer here to lessen his burden. Just Minded beat the disappointing Derrynane in a Carlisle bumper in November and has shown promise in both runs over hurdles so could be the one for forecast-backers.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 3-10fav (11-9) Made virtually all, pressed from 2 out, headed narrowly last, soon regained lead, kept on, won at Towcester 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Count Meribel (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Derrynane (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in last trio, steady headway chasing leaders 5th, weakening when stumbled badly 3 out, 7th of 9, 34 1/2l behind Applaus (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Just Minded (IRE) 11-10 (11-5) Soon led, pushed along and headed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8 3/4l behind De Dollar Man (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Gogo Baloo 25-1 (10-10) In rear, pushed along halfway, tailed off over 3f out, 10th of 12, dist behind Brecon Hill (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn (6) sft in Feb.
Kristal Star 100-1 (10-9) Behind, struggling over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Enniscoffey Oscar (11-2) at Lingfield 2m (6) fst in Feb.
