led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
prominent, ridden approaching last, every chance flat, not quicken towards finish
towards rear, headway 6th, soon weakened
prominent, hit 2 out, led approaching last, soon ridden, ran on
mid-division, hit 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent and headway 3 out, weakened 2 out
not jump well, always behind
behind, mistake 4th, headway 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, brief effort when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
Turko can lower the colours of Fair Along to land the opener, with Afsoun, Flaming Weapon and Desert Jim other noteworthy opponents. The world and his wife knew about Turko when the French import made his British bow at Newbury a fortnight ago, and he did not disappoint, winning comfortably from a fancied Pipe runner. He did not impress with his jumping early on but warmed to his task as the race unfolded, and has bags of scope. Seen as a potential Arkle candidate in 2007, it is highly unlikely that he will go for the Triumph, with the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow his next main target, and as long as the going today does not dry up, he can lower the colours of prolific winner Fair Along. The Hobbs juvenile was successful in a Grade 2 event here the time before last, and his experience can help him to stave off the challenge of Afsoun again, although the latter does enjoy a 7lb pull with that rival. A half-brother to Afrad, the feeling is that Afsoun, a stayer on the Flat, will be better suited to a longer trip than today's over hurdles. Flaming Weapon had his limitations exposed by the selection at Aintree last time and will need to improve dramatically, while Desert Jim is an unknown quantity but we are well aware of Francois Doumen's record over here. All in all, Turko is the percentage call.
Fair Along (GER) 4-7fav (11-6) Made all, drew clear 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Nov beating Ortolan Bleu (10-12) by 21l, 6 ran.
Turko (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway 2 out, led and hit last, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gd in Nov beating My Immortal (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Wembury Point (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Hit 2nd, tracked leader to 3rd, weakened under pressure before 3 out, 5th of 8, well behind Spidam (11-4) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) hvy.
Afsoun (FR) 3-1fav (10-12) Prominent in chasing group, chased winner after 5th, 3 lengths down last, stayed on but no impression, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Fair Along (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Desert Jim (FR) (8-13) Never in contention, 6th of 12, 5l behind Art (8-9) at Lyon Parilly 1m 5f 3yo hcp in Nov (Flat).
Ghabesh (USA) 22-1 (10-12) Not jump well, hampered 2nd, rider lost iron briefly 4th, always behind, 13th of 15, well behind Vocative (10-0) at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
Mickey Pearce (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, 41l behind Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) In touch until weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Ofaraby (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct (Flat).
Wotchalike (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Chased leaders until weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 9l behind Pass The Port (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol (Flat).
Equilibria (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders soon after, led 2 out, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (D) gs in Nov beating Tora Bora (10-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Flaming Weapon 11-2 (11-2) In touch, lost pace 4 out, soon behind, 4th of 6, well behind Fair Along (11-6) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Nov.
