tracked leaders on inside, led 15th, reminder after 3 out, just over 2 lenghts ahead when blundered last, headed soon after, unable to recover
led until 4th, with leader, not fluent 13th, ridden 3 out, just over 2 lenghts down when leader blundered last, led soon after, stayed on
prominent until 3rd, soon last and unable to keep up, well behind 5th, pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders, mistakes 9th and 11th, pushed along 12th, struggling when jumped left and mistake 16th, weakening when mistake next
with leader, led 4th, not fluent 14th, headed next, soon ridden, mistake 17th, soon weakened
keen early, tracked leaders, went prominent 8th, ridden after 15th, mistake 17th, soon weakened
Disappointingly just the six runners line up for this hunters' chase in which it is hard to oppose TURTHEN, who has shown a decent level of form in this grade and he gets the vote ahead of Ask Again and Trade Off. Louise Alner's gelding has 61 lengths to find with the selection on running in this event 12 months ago but he has been running better in point-to-points since then so cannot be discounted. The Angela Davis-trained Lutteur Bleu resumed winning ways when successful between the flags last time and now makes his rules debut, while Coolers Quest was well held in his most recent starts in handicaps and has shown only limited ability in points. Own Line has shown gradual improvement in recent outings between the flags and has to be considered but a bigger threat is likely to come from Ask Again, who carried his winning point form back under rules when successful at Exeter last month. He looks the main threat to the selection, Turthen, who looks to be too classy for his rivals.
Turthen (FR) 6-4fav (12-8) Behind, headway 12th, led after 3 out, hard ridden and soon challenged, headed close home no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Ice Tea (11-7) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Ask Again 4-1 (11-3) Always prominent, led 4th until 7th, led approaching 4 out, in command before last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Thirtytwo Red (11-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Lutteur Bleu (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Led to 3; led 8; drew clr 3 out; easy, won at Larkhill 3m ptp fm in Apr beating Phiroza (11-7) by 20l, 4 ran.
Own Line 9-4 (11-0) Ap; led 13; ro wl, won at Larkhill 3m ptp fm in Apr beating Badger (11-0) by 3l, 5 ran.
Trade Off (IRE) 2-5 (12-7) Prom til outpcd 14, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Raydan (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp fm in Apr.
Coolers Quest 6-4 (11-7) Led 8-10; rdn 3 out; kpt on, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Gunner Be Quick (12-0) at Littlewindsor 3m ptp gf in Apr.
