Top Of The Charts and Jonathan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
"He is a little bit of a monkey, he is hard to win with. He doesn't really travel that well so today we said we'd drop him in and let him find his own feet," said jockey Jonathan Moore after winning the BoyleSports Handicap Chase at Wexford on Top Of The Charts (5s from 8s on track, and bigger earlier).
Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and Wexford man Moore are forging a decent alliance and though the principals didn't impress with their jumping in the straight Top Of The Charts proved best by three and a quarter lengths from Churchtown Glen Open To The World can certainly be 'marked up' on her fifth place finish as she was badly hampered by the fall of Fergiethelegend at the fourth last.
"I nearly got too much air at the second last and he twisted in air. Down to the last I thought I needed a good jump because Donie's lad (Churchtown Glen) was finding plenty," elaborated Moore.
"But he didn't want to do that again so he was good and clever at it, he was cleverer than I was but thankfully he got the job done anyway.
"He stays really well over three miles and he jumped brilliant everywhere bar the last two."
The Stewards requested a report from Gavin Cromwell, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Top Of The Charts (FR), placed first, as compared with its recent form. Feidhlim Cunningham, authorised representative for the trainer, reported that his charge appeared to appreciate the step up in trip and felt this had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(DM & EM)
