took keen hold, close up, steady in touch from 4th, headway to challenge 4 out, disputed lead next, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, quicken to lead 4th, joined 4 out, ran on strongly from 2 out
led, slowed pace after 3rd, headed next, blundered 4 out, weakened next, soon eased
A small but select field lines up for this graduation chase and, while Exotic Dancer and Turnstile are more than capable performers, if Turpin Green is fit for his return then he really should be too good for his two opponents. The selection was ready enough for his reappearance last term and although he failed to add to his tally after that, the Nicky Richards-trained gelding did show some decent form in good company, latterly when finding just Star de Mohaison too good in Grade 2 company at Aintree. A reproduction of his best form should suffice for Turpin Green, who is hard to oppose. Exotic Dancer did not seem to take to fences last term and may be best watched on his return, while Turnstile may do better over further in time and needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge here anyway. That is not the case with Turpin Green though and he is taken to make a winning return before going on to better things.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 7-2 (11-9) fell in race won by Hoo La Baloo (10-13) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Dec, 4 ran.
Turpin Green (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Ran in snatches, headway 11th, chased leader before last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Star De Mohaison (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Turnstile 7-4 (11-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next pulled up 2 out in race won by Rare Coincidence (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
