with leaders, lost place approaching 10th
held up in touch, in 3rd when blundered 4 out, weakened next
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 8th, ridden and mistake when beat 2 out
tracked leader, led after 2nd, headed 4th, behind from 8th
with leader, led 2nd, soon headed, led 4th, clear approaching 2 out, easily
In the novices' chase, Turthen shades the vote over Don't Be Shy and New Alco. The Paul Nicholls-trained Turthen has a good reputaton and he ran well when third to Bannow Strand over course and distance here last time. For us, that makes him a leading player today. Martin Pipe trains Bannow Strand and he runs the French import Don't Be Shy, who looks well up to winning races based on his second to the decent Green Tango on his British chasing debut 16 days ago, so he is respected. Connections paid a good price for New Alco and, judged on his Sedgefield win last time, he has a good future and is also respected. Eskimo Pie has justifiably earned a rating of 119 over fences, and it could be that a drop back to this trip from his previous two runs, could see better from him at a track where he has won. However, we prefer others today, not least Turthen, who gets the vote.
Eskimo Pie (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 13th, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 9l behind The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft in Dec.
Turthen (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 9th, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Bannow Strand (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
New Alco (FR) 8-15fav (10-2) Led to 2nd, led again approaching 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec beating Dark Ben (10-13) by 17l, 10 ran.
Lago d'Oro 16-1 (10-9) Held up, well behind 5th, headway 9th, kept on from 4 out, 4th of 7, 31l behind De Blanc (10-12) at Towcester 2m 3f mrs beg chs (4) sft.
Don't Be Shy (FR) 9-4fav (10-7) In touch, led after 10th headed approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Green Tango (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
