led, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd final 75 yards
held up, headway afater 3 out to track leader, shaken up to lead after next, ran on
held up, hit 2nd, headway to dispute 3rd approaching 2 out, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened tamely, pulled up before next
tracked leader until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, regained 2nd final 75 yards
An intriguing rematch between Turfshuffle and Font while not forgetting Cortinas and Mutual Friend. Turfshuffle, formerly a smart flat performer in Germany was amongst a whole host of promising novices introduced by Nicky Henderson in the early part of this year. After taking a dramatic walk in the market on his racecourse debut, he ran satisfactory and although scoring last time, the manner of his victory was disappointing. He had both Font and Sangfroid behind and while it is hard to see them turning around the form, the main danger may arise from Cortinas. He showed dramatic improvement to land a Huntingdon handicap hurdle last time, beating the ill-fated The Grey Berry. This looks stiffer but he looks capable of putting up a good show. Font has progressed with each outing to date and market moves would be significant but Turfshuffle is selected.
Turfshuffle (GER) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd beating Font (11-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Font 2-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Turfshuffle (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Mutual Friend (USA) 9-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 3 out, chased clear winner from 2 out, hung left and one pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Jazz Scene (11-3) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Norman The Great 11-10fav (10-12) Always prominent, joined leader 5th, flashed tail and hung left approaching 2 out, no extra before last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Light Yield (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Sangfroid 25-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again from next, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Turfshuffle (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Cortinas (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 4th, challenged going well 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar beating The Grey Berry (11-0) by 4l, 14 ran.
Desert Star 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 18, 29l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Grandos (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Chantaco (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
