mid-division, never going well from 12th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
behind until pulled up before 12th
raced on inside, in touch and travelling well, headway to track leader 4 out, led 3 out, in command 2 out, driven clear flat
prominent, under pressure approaching 17th, weakened 4 out
behind, headway into mid-division 10th, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on flat, not reached winner
chased leaders until weakened 16th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
mistake 2nd, behind until saddle slipped and pulled up approaching 6th
behind, blundered 9th, tailed off 16th, pulled up before next
behind, under pressure 13th, mistake 16th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
prominent, led 5th to 4 out, weakened and pulled up next
always behind, blundered 17th
raced wide, held up in rear, headway 12th, chased leaders 17th, weakened soon after 3 out, pulled up approaching last
prominent, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 17th, headed 3 out, no impression and lost 2nd 2 out, plugged on one pace
led to 5th, made front rank until weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, made on under pressure from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders
The selection in the day's feature race is Turpin Green, with Cornish Rebel, State Of Play and Idle Talk also making it onto the shortlist. Third in this contest last year from a three-pounds lower mark, a breathing operation since his last run could see Cornish Rebel competitive today. Turpin Green is one of those exciting and progressive chasers who looks set to keep on improving as the season unfolds. As such he could be well-handicapped for this. State Of Play has attracted plenty of support following his Aintree romp and he has to be considered too. Idle Talk warmed up for this with a very good Cheltenham run and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase runner-up, and Scottish National fourth, is entitled to plenty of respect. All the right noises are being made about last season's Aintree Grade 2-chase fifth, Montgermont, although Turpin Green holds him on that form, and Ardaghey bounced back to form last time with a good Cheltenham success and he too earns plenty of respect. Emma Lavelle has her stable in good form and the progressive Presenting Express is another to consider, while the 'Paddy Power' runner-up Vodka Bleu boasts strong claims. It all adds up to a very good renewal of the Hennessy, with Turpin Green taken to score.
Cornish Rebel (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Badly hampered 1st, behind until pulled up at the 19th in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Turpin Green (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 4th, joined 4 out, soon in command, ran on strongly, won at Carlisle 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) sft beating Exotic Dancer (11-7) by 28l, 3 ran.
State of Play 22-1 (10-2) Prominent, led 3rd to 6th, led again 13th, clear last, eased flat, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Lacdoudal (11-12) by 16l, 18 ran.
Idle Talk (IRE) 9-2co-fav (11-0) Led, headed 3rd, mistake 4th, led again 14th, headed 5 out, led again approaching 2 out, all out when headed flat, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind My Will (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Montgermont (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 15th to 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 15, 21l behind Star De Mohaison (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Juveigneur (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up in touch, shaken up approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Massini's Maguire (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gs.
Ross Comm 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 23l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Oct.
Ardaghey (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 15th, led and hit 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct beating Xellance (10-0) by 12l, 12 ran.
Bothar Na (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Raced mainly 4th, 5th from 9th, ridden and no extra before 3 out, moderate 5th when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Beef Or Salmon (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Napolitain (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leader, challenging when hit 12th, ridden after 14th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Harry's Dream (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Presenting Express (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Jumped well and always going well, led 14th, soon in command, not extended, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct beating Meggie's Beau (10-6) by 4l, 4 ran.
Keltic Bard 14-1 (11-3) Badly hampered 1st, soon behind, never on terms and pulled up 5 out in race won by Parsons Legacy (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd, 12 ran.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 4-1fav (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Exotic Dancer (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Preacher Boy 14-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden 4 out, kept on well to go 2nd 3 out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Parsons Legacy (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd.
Parsons Legacy (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leader, ridden 4 out, led approaching 3 out, driven clear from 2 out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd beating Preacher Boy (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Omni Cosmo Touch (USA) 11-1 (10-8) Tracked winner to 8th, outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Monet's Garden (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (3) hvy in Oct.
