always prominent, led after 5th, clear approaching flat, eased flat
held up in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, well behind from 5th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off from 4th
held up, effort after 5th, never dangerous
held up, headway 3 out, ran on well flat, not reach winner
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat
took keen hold, held up towards rear, jumped slowly 3rd, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
pulled hard, jumped right, led until after 5th, weakened 3 out, no chance when mistake last
chased leader until after 5th, weakened 3 out, blundered 2 out
Turbo gets the vote here ahead of Allumee and It's The Limit. The Terry Mills-trained Turbo, who won the 2003 November Handicap, was only just denied by Anticipating (who was second at Towcester yesterday) on his hurdling debut and, given that he should be able to build on that, is afforded plenty of respect. The Philip Hobbs-trained Allumee is very much respected, having shown a good level of form in finishing second at Wincanton in each of his last two starts. It's The Limit was third off a mark of 90 in an Newbury handicap in the summer, and that type of form makes him of great interest here. Sgt Pepper was a mile Listed winner at two but, of course, his form then tailed off, hence eight flights of hurdles. And Finally, Zumrah was second over course and distance last time, but a better effort will be required in order to win. Finally, Marsh Orchid has shown a modicum of promise on the Flat but, overall, we will side with Turbo.
Allumee 11-10fav (11-0) Prominent, led after 2nd, hard ridden and no extra when headed flat, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Earth Man (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Coronado's Gold (USA) 7-2 (11-1) With leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakening when hampered on bend approaching last, 4th of 14, 18l behind Dubonai (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gd in Aug.
Courageous Dove 20-1 (10-4) Prominent, led 7f out, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Rimsky (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Mar.
It's The Limit (USA) 25-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened over 6f out, 13th of 15, well behind Inchnadamph (8-12) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug (Flat).
Marsh Orchid 33-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, not much room on bend after 5th, soon lost place and struggling, 7th of 9, 43l behind Sharaab (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Sgt Pepper (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Always in rear, 14th of 17, 14l behind Flint River (8-8) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) gs in Apr (Flat).
Turbo (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, smooth headway on inside 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed on line, 2nd of 14, shd behind Anticipating (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Zumrah (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Giust In Temp (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
