in rear, fell 6 out
tracked leaders in 3rd place, towards rear before 6th, left in lead after 5 out, clear before last, no extra and headed towards finish
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
led, headed before 6th, blundered 6 out, weakened 5 out
with leader, tracked leaders, jumped left 5th, ridden after last, kept on to lead towards finish
held up in touch, soon with leader, led 6th, faltered and headed after 5 out, pulled up
Argocat won three Grade 2 chases for Tom Taaffe and bolted up in an Open at Milborne St Andrew earlier this month. He could be a smart addition to the hunter chase ranks and so could Grandturgeon, who justified strong market support when making an impressive-if-belated debut under Rules at Warwick, beating Fourovakind six lengths with Lord Heathfield a further 16 lengths away in fourth. VIRAK has won five of his 19 chase starts. One of those victories came over this course and distance and he also won a Grade 2 at Doncaster. He only had to be pushed out to land the odds at Ludlow last month and a follow-up may be on the cards. Shotavodka, another course and distance winner, has had the form of his Hereford victory franked so could be a danger despite his penalty.
Fourovakind 20-1 (12-6) Held up towards rear, ridden before 12th, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Grandturgeon (11-12) at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan.
Shotavodka (IRE) 10-1 (12-6) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside chasing leaders 10th, 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged and hit last, quickened to lead run-in, won at Hereford 2m 5f (5) sft in Jan beating Full Trottle (12-6) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Grandturgeon (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, went 2nd 13th, led going well before 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan beating Fourovakind (12-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Lord Heathfield (IRE) 16-1 (12-2) Led, blundered 13th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 22l behind Grandturgeon (11-12) at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan.
Virak (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 15th, made rest, clear from 2 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 3m (4) gs in Jan beating Real Milan (11-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Argocat (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Prom; led 12 til ur 15, at Thorpe Lodge 3m gs in Jan.
