in touch, headway 4th, led after 3 out, quickened clear 2 out, ridden and fluent last
always in the rear
in rear, some moderate progress approaching 5th, no further impression
led, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out
always in the rear, tired when jumped left 4 out
tracked leaders, chased leaders approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden and headway 4th, chased leaders under pressure from 3 out, one pace
towards rear, ridden from 5th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden when hit 5th, stayed on to chase leaders from 3 out, hit 2 out, no impression on winner
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and no further impression
Turko, Gardasee, Fair Along and My Immortal catch the eye here, with Turko getting the call. Turko is one of the season's leading juvenile hurdlers. Period. The fact that he failed to give weight to Afsoun at Cheltenham last time matters not, because that one is a very good horse indeed, so Turko looks the one to beat today. The useful Fair Along has five lengths to find on that form. Afsoun's trainer Nicky Henderson runs French import Blue Shark here and his run should be monitored with interest. Gardasee has also looked useful in winning his last two races and has to be very much respected. My Immortal is now six pounds worse off with Turko for the length-and-three-quarters he was beaten by him at Newbury in November but, with the third and fourth having won well since, the form is rock solid. Twist Magic looks the weaker of the Nicholls' stable entries, while Solarias Quest should win over hurdles but would be doing very well to score today. Finally, Patman du Charmil also has to get a good mention as he beat Gardasee when they met at Uttoxeter in October, but the latter might have improved past him now. We will see, but the vote stays with Turko.
Blue Shark (FR) (10-6) won at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp hdl sft in Nov beating Corleone (10-7) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Cava Bien 5-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden after 5th, headway approaching 2 out, ran on flat to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Caribou (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft.
Equilibria (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders soon after, led 2 out, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (D) gs in Nov beating Tora Bora (10-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Fair Along (GER) 10-3 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Afsoun (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (B) gs.
Flaming Weapon 11-2 (11-2) In touch, lost pace 4 out, soon behind, 4th of 6, well behind Fair Along (11-6) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Nov.
Form And Beauty (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 7f out, weakened 4f out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Mont Saint Michel (8-7) at Warwick 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Gardasee (GER) 4-7fav (11-5) Made all, clear after 3 out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) hvy beating One More Time (10-5) by 14l, 10 ran.
Josear 7-2 (10-5) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led after 5th, well clear from 3 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft beating Dance Hall Diva (9-12) by 18l, 14 ran.
Kanpai (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, every chance when blundered 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 8, 20l behind Spidam (11-4) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) hvy.
My Immortal 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, driven and headed before last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Turko (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 8-15fav (11-5) Chased leader, led 4th, made rest, ridden out flat, won at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft beating Kickahead (10-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Solarias Quest 22-1 (8-11) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 16th of 18, 10l behind Camrose (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug (Flat).
Turko (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden approaching last, every chance flat, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Afsoun (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (B) gs.
Twist Magic (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Prominent, headway after 3 out, ridden, led approaching 2 out, hit last, ran on, won at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs beating Pace Shot (11-5) by 9l, 14 ran.
Barnbrook Empire (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair before last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct beating Inchcape Rock (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
