ONCE again South Wales Argus / Chepstow Racing Club horse Top Cop was involved in the mix only to just miss out on the prize money.

At Bath on Friday night he was sent off at 100/30 second-favourite (he was 10/1 on Friday morning), with the weight of expectation – and racing club members’ money – on his shoulders.

He settled in mid-division in the five-furlong sprint and jockey Matthew Cosham brought him smoothly through the field to challenge two furlongs out.

A furlong to go and he had a gap but failed to exploit it and ended up fifth of the 11 runners, though only three lengths off the winner.

“It’s really frustrating,” said trainer Ron Harris after the race. “He has the ability but he isn’t pushing on when he gets the chance to win.

“He’s a clever horse, so perhaps he thinks he’s done enough, and maybe he needs a firmer hand to push him for an effort at the end.”

Jockey Matt Cosham was also clearly frustrated at the result, reporting the six-year-old gelding had energy to spare after the run and was still on his toes on the return to the paddock.

So it’s back home to Earlswood for Top Cop and some more work ahead of another run in the near future and hopefully a more positive outcome.