led to 5th, fell 14th
mid-division when fell 14th
in touch, joined leader 5th, ridden 15th, weakened 17th
chased leader, led 5th to 16th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway 15th, ridden and left 2nd approaching 4 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden 15th, weakened next
prominent, chased leader 12th, led 16th, ridden, ran wide and headed after 4 out, rallied and went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on flat but no chance with winner
held up last, weakened 8th, pulled up before 15th
in touch, blundered 14th and 16th, pulled up before 17th
held up, headway from 14th, chased leaders 17th, left in lead after 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 2 out, pushed clear flat
TURTHEN is likely to be a short price to see off The Big Breakfast and Trade Off. Charlotte Tizzard gave the ex-Paul Nicholls inmate an incredible ride at the Cheltenham Foxhunters only for the hill to sap his stamina when it mattered most. There is no Cappa Bleu today and with an appropriate gap to get over the assignment, compensation should await. The Big Breakfast was fifth at Chepstow behind Aintree winner,Trust Fund. He stays much further than this trip. Trade Off can front run and did so to land a recent prize at Badbury Rings. Baodai accounted for Thisthatandtother at Larkhill in a three miler last month so has to be respected. Toi Express has had his moments under rules for Ron Hodges but wouldn't exactly appeal as the most natural of stayers. Turthen should win this provided that his Cheltenham labours have not taken the edge off him.
Cape Verde Sal (IRE) 100-1 (11-13) Chased leading pair, weakened into 5th, driven when hit 13th, beaten after, 5th of 12, 21l behind Jurado Express (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gd in Mar.
Master John (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch, pushed along 16th, weakened 18th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Chiaro (11-12) at Hereford 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
The Big Breakfast (IRE) 4-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, under pressure 17th, soon beaten, 5th of 20, well behind Trust Fund (12-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f nov hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Trade Off (IRE) 11-8 (12-7) Made virt all; just held on, won at Badbury Rings 3m ptp in Mar beating Knighton Combe (12-0) by hd, 5 ran.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Cl up til outpcd 3 out; lft 2nd nxt, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Distant Thunder (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Mar.
Baodai (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Held up; prog 14; led flat, won at Larkhill 3m ptp in Mar beating Thisthatandtother (12-0) by 1l, 16 ran.
Get My Drift (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders until blundered and lost place 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind The Big Breakfast (11-3) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gs in Mar.
Shraden Edition 5-1 (12-0) Prsd wnr frm 2 out; no ex flat, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Gunner Be Quick (12-0) at Alpraham 3m ptp in Mar.
Toi Express (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Made most til hdd last; no ex flat, 2nd of 4, 3l behind The Boss Roche (12-0) at Kilworthy 3m ptp in Mar.
Turthen (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway 12th, challenging 3 out, every chance last, no extra and edged right flat, 2nd of 24, 12l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
