3rd-Feb-2018

Topofthegame is not a massive price, but he has lots in his favour.

We had him on side for the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last time, when he stayed on well to take fourth place.  He came under pressure before the home turn that day, but he stayed on strongly all the way up the home straight.  The further he went, the stronger he got, and he was beaten less than three lengths by the winner William Henry in the end.

That was over two miles and five furlongs, today’s race is over almost three miles, and the step up in trip should bring about further improvement on the soft ground.

Paul Nicholls’ horse is progressive anyway.  He is only six and that run in the Lanzarote Hurdle was just his fourth run over hurdles.  The handicapper raised him by 3lb to a mark of 142, but he has the potential to go a fair way beyond that mark now especially over the longer trip.

He is a chaser in the making, and he fell on his chasing debut at Newbury on his last run before the Lanzarote.  That was not an ideal preparation for that race.  He will be interesting over fences in time, probably next season, but he has a real chance of winning today’s race in the meantime.

Melrose Boy is progressive and he is a danger, but his penultimate run at Newbury was disappointing, for all that the form is working out well, and he is short.  Golan Fortune is also interesting, but he is 14lb higher now than he was for his Kempton win last time.  He is progressive, but Topofthegame has more in his favour.

TOPOFTHEGAME WON (SP 11/2)