tracked leaders, raced keenly, effort after 3 out, soon under pressure
led, headed approachng 8th when not fluent, soon lost place
tracked, led approaching 8th, driven clear approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd and 4th, headway approaching 4 out, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, soon outpaced
in touch, chased leaders before 4 out, soon under pressure and weakened
There's no getting away from the chance of TOP SMART, who is progressing nicely and was ideally suited by stepping up to 2m4f at Lingfield last time where he stayed on strongly to beat Kalamill. He can improve again and take care of Horseshoe Reef, whose victory here a month ago was over fences and he might not get the test of stamina he requires. Shropshirelass won this last year from just 1lb lower and loves fast ground. However, she was in good form coming into the race but her only run since September saw her well beaten at Lingfield last month. The ex-Irish Knocklayde Vic hasn't been seen since May and may be best watched on his first start for Ian Williams.
Knocklayde Vic (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Towards rear, kept on same pace from before straight, 10th of 17, 25l behind Where's The Dosh (11-8) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in May.
Horseshoe Reef (AUS) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led before 7th, clear 2 out, driven and just doing enough towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Ban Uisce (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Top Smart 7-4fav (11-1) Mostly chased leader until dropped to 3rd at 5th, hit next, went 2nd again before and hit 7th, led on long run to 2 out, driven between last 2, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Kalamill (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Highest Esteem 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, 8th and beaten when mistake next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shore Thing (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gf in Apr '10, 14 ran.
Shropshirelass 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear on outside, ridden after 5th, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 11th of 13, 41l behind Pepito Collonges (9-13) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
