made all, driven clear from last
in touch, hit 3rd, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off
tracked leaders and keen, in 4th when fell 5th
held up, took close order 3rd, chased winner from 3 out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off next
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, in 4th and no impression when hit last
held up, headway 5th, weakened 2 out
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
always behind, tailed off approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
Jack The Giant has done little wrong since being switched to hurdles but the yard of Nicky Henderson has been rather quiet of late and, at the forecast odds, he may not represent much in the way of value so a chance is taken with Turbo who is preferred to Bound. The last mentioned disappointed behind Wellbeing here last time but the ground may have become too testing for him on that occasion and Lucy Wadham's gelding may do better today provided that the ground does not soften up too much. First Fought stepped up on previous handicap form when chasing home Parsley's Return at Sedgefield last time and has claims on that evidence, while Irish raider Almier cannot be discounted under Timmy Murphy. Kilgowan could probably do with some help from the handicapper, as could top weight Bob Justice, while Space Cowboy may need another run to put him spot on. Turbo may not be the most resilient of customers but this sharp track should suit him ideally and Mick Easterby's gelding is given the vote to gain a deserved success.
Bound 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 7th of 17, 22l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Kilgowan (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 13th of 17, 26l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Jack The Giant (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Close 3rd, ridden 2 out, no impression, 4th before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 25, 10l behind Josephine Cullen (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Almier (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Led, well clear to 5th, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 14, 50l behind Leaders Way (10-7) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Mar.
Turbo (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, effort between last 2, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 15, 7l behind River Alder (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
First Fought (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and edged right flat, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Parsley's Return (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Space Cowboy (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 34l behind L'oudon (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Mr Midaz 13-2 (11-4) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to lead run-in, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Haditovski (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
