title: finding max in mysql when column is varchar
body: <p>I have a varchar column that has data like this</p>
  
  <pre><code>top&lt;somenumber&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>so the word 'top' followed by numbers.  I am trying insert a record in this table and am trying to find out what is the next value that should go in.</p>
  
  <p>Is there anyway I can find the max value for this column?</p>
  
  <p>maybe something like this?</p>
  
  <pre><code>select * from catalog ORDER BY CAST(`catalogid` AS DECIMAL(10,2)) DESC limit1;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>how can i mold the above query to account for only numbers followed by 'top'</p>