RSA INSURANCE NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 1)

SOME 12 years after he last won the race with Denman the resurgent Paul Nicholls bagged a third victory in a race that defines the staying novice chasing division as Topofthegame finally got his day in the sun.

The victorious son of Flemensfirth was the only maiden over fences in the 12-runner field but runner-up finishes to Defi Du Seuil and La Bague Au Roi on his first two outings over the larger obstacles provided ample evidence of his potential. Twelve months on from losing out by a neck in the Coral Cup, Topofthegame was not to be denied in a race where the three market leaders dominated.

The favourite here was Delta Work and he gave a fine account of himself to finish a close third, although it all looked to be going well for the market leader when he cruised into the front rank with three to jump. Nothing was going better at this stage but stalking Delta Work were both Santini and the Harry Cobden-ridden Topofthegame.

In a finish where the market leaders all kept towards the outer the battle was joined with two to jump and the chief domestic hopes edged ahead facing up to the last. Both the front two met that fence spot on but Topofthegame was unyielding on the run-in and he kept on tenaciously to ensure there would be no last-gasp defeat as there was 12 months ago. The former Belclare point-to-point scorer got home by half a length with Delta Work a length and three-quarters away in third.

“We’ve always thought that he’s been a very smart horse although he’s not been the easiest to train. On his day he’s good and all I said to Harry when he was going out today was to take his time and he’s given him a brilliant ride. The plan was for Harry to have one go at the finish,” commented Nicholls who was remarkably winning his first novice chase at the meeting for 10 years.

“The horse is a baby and he’s still just learning. If you just look at him he’s massive and as he’s such a light horse he’s not the easiest. I just wanted to get him here not too light and today was the only day we’ve really trained him and the next time will be the Gold Cup next year.”