chased leader until before 5th, not fluent 13th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th until ridden before 3 out, jumped left and no extra 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to lead 5th, headed next, led again 8th, headed last, stayed on
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out until just before last where short of room, no extra flat
led until 5th, led 6th, headed 8th, outpaced after 4 out weakened next
in rear, awkward 4th, headway 10th, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out
Big Fella Thanks did finish ahead of Rebel Rebellion in last year's Topham at Aintree but hasn't raced since and that will be his target again. Rebel Rebellion was fifth in the Grand Sefton on Merseyside in November and has claims on that form but Paul Nicholls also runs recent Taunton winner BLACK RIVER, who has more scope. The latter may be the one to beat now he's apparently sorted out his jumping. Exeter third Filbert might be better over 2m but has place claims again and Tango De Juilley is open to further improvement. He looks a better bet than Notarfbad, who is comfortably held by Filbert on recent running.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 15th, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 5th of 16, 8l behind Poole Master (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
Big Fella Thanks 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, tracked leaders 12th (canal turn), joined winner 14th, lost place after 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 30, 24l behind Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Tango De Juilley (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Led until 4th, led again before 7th, headed 3 out, rallied next, weakened last, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Chris Pea Green (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Black River (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, hampered next, ridden 2 out, went 2nd and challenged when hit last, led flat, kept on, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Dec beating Irish Cavalier (11-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Notarfbad (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, lost place 5 out, one pace next, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Gardefort (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Filbert (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up on outside, headway 11th, blundered 4 out and 3 out, jumped right and one pace 2 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Ultragold (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
