mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th
in touch, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, weakening and mistake 3 out
held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, mistake when chasing clear leader 2 out, ridden soon after and ran on to lead line
tracked leader, ridden from 5th, weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 3rd, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place 3rd, behind from 6th
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
in touch, headway 6th, weakened quickly and eased approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, smooth headway on inside 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed line
held up in rear and keen, mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, keeping on when mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to chase clear front pair last
led until ridden and weakening when headed 3 out
Turbo could still get it right over hurdles and gets a tentative vote over La Dolfina, with Dyneburg and Gemini Dancer also expected to figure prominently. It has to be said first of all that Turbo has not produced the goods when tried over hurdles in the past, but he has taken on far, far better company, including when lining up in the 2003 Triumph Hurdle. He has been confined to the Flat since last December, and has found life tough in that sphere as well, despite tumbling in the weights. However, Toby Balding is still convinced that he has the makings of a decent hurdler, and is sure to have had him well-schooled in preparation for a crack at the obstacles again. La Dolfina picked up three handicaps for Hugh Morrison in 2003, but after three uninspiring efforts over timber, has been absent this year. She is another that will have been put through her paces in readiness for her return. Dyneburg is going the right way and should improve again after landing a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon, while Gemini Dancer should also be involved, although he did not find a great deal after travelling well throughout behind Space Cowboy at Newton Abbot. There are plenty of ifs, buts and maybes in this line-up, and only a small vote of confidence goes to Turbo.
Atlantic City 16-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 29l behind At Your Request (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Dyneburg (POL) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, led next, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (F) gf in Aug beating Screenplay (11-1) by 3l, 14 ran.
Gemini Dancer 4-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, mistake 3 out, headway and going well approaching 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Space Cowboy (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gf in Aug.
Anticipating 14-1 (8-11) Held up, effort 3f out, last of 7, 13l behind Salinja (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Aug (Flat).
Carte Sauvage (USA) 100-1 (9-4) Always in rear, last of 16, 41l behind Balkan Knight (9-9) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd (Flat).
Turbo (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Held up, ridden and weakened quickly 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Island Sound (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Whistling Fred 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway 6th, hit 3 out, one pace next, never near leaders, 5th of 15, 29l behind Kilindini (10-12) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in May.
La Dolfina 15-2 (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and 4th when fell 2 out in race won by Prins Willem (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov, 15 ran.
