behind, headway 12th, led after 3 out, hard ridden and soon challenged, headed close home no extra
mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, one pace from before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, never on terms
always behind
led until 4th, soon under pressure, tailed off when pulled up 5 out
led 4th, headed 3out, soon outpaced, rallied to lead flat, all out
chased leaders, mistake12th, soon weakened and pulled up
mid-division, headway 8th, soon chased leaders, no extra after 2 out
always behind
behind when fell 5 out
held up, under pressure 12th, chased leaders 4 out soon weakened and pulled up
He's got plenty of weight but TURTHEN will be tough to beat in this contest although Cool Running and Martha's Kinsman are both capable of making it tough for the likely favourite. Our selection travelled nicely in the Foxhunter Chase last time before weakening late on and prior to that had won two races in comfortable fashion at Wincanton. He ran some cracking races when in the care of Paul Nicholls but appears not to have regressed for switching yards, loves a sound surface and seems to have put previous attitude questions to bed. Cool Running has one of the more capable pilots in the race on board and will go well if jumping round. As his record suggests that isn't a given by any means but he won under similar conditions in Ireland and is very much on the shortlist. Martha's Kinsman ran well behind Templer last time and that horse almost landed a much better race at Cheltenham earlier in the week so he's considered more of a threat than Oopsmylord despite the fact that one is unexposed and likes to hear his hooves rattle. Whataboutya looks the stable second string so of more interest at a price is Ice Tea who has claims if back to his best but Turthen will take some beating here and gets the vote.
Turthen (FR) 10-1 (12-0) In touch, mistake 14th (water), outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 24, 19l behind Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Oopsmylord (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Led until before 4th, prominent, lost place 11th, rallied before 14th, hit 15th and next, led approaching 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Breaking Silence (12-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Cool Running (IRE) 9-2fav (12-0) Held up towards rear, some headway and in touch in chasing group when blundered and unseated rider 12th, in a race won by Chesnut Annie (11-8) at Ffos Las 3m hts chs (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Give Me Love (FR) 25-1 (11-3) In rear, reminders 5th, ridden after 11th, pressing for remote 3rd when hit 4 out, took that position latter stages, 3rd of 8, 43l behind Cedrus Libani (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Mar.
Home Made (12-7) Led to 7; outpcd 15, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Lord Louis (12-0) at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp gd.
Ice Tea (IRE) 11-8 (12-7) Ap; led aft 11; rdly, won at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp gd beating Billyvoddan (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
In Hot Pursuit (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along after halfway, reminders approaching 10th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Theatre Diva (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft, 10 ran.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 7th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Templer (11-13) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Posh Dude (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) In tch til outpcd aft 15, 4th of 5, 18l behind Ice Tea (12-7) at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp gd.
Whataboutya (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Always behind and mistakes, tailed off when pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Theatre Diva (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft, 10 ran.
Lady Myfanwy 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 9th, ridden 11th, struggling soon after, 6th of 8, 20l behind Drybrook Bedouin (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gs.
