held up in touch, hit 6th, not fluent 10th, went 2nd 12th, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, edged left and one pace flat
with leader when blundered badly and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, led 8th to 11th, remained in touch, challenged after 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, not reach winner
in touch, lost place 9th, no danger after
raced keenly, held up in touch, headway to lead 11th, hit 2 out, jumped left last, ridden and kept on well flat
led to 8th, mistake 10th, lost place 12th, behind when blundered next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader to 8th, reminders 11th, soon outpaced
held up in rear when fell 7th
Withdrawn
Turpin Green will take all the beating and should collect at the expense of Pebble Bay, Mel In Blue and South Bronx. Turpin Green was campaigned in Graded company over hurdles without disgrace, and made his eagerly awaited chase debut at Carlisle just 10 days ago. He did not disappoint, showing real battling qualities in shaking off the challenge of the equally promising Rebel Rhythm. That will have taught him a lot, and even with a penalty it is hard to see him being turned over by anything here. Best of the remainder may be Pebble Bay, but if Rebel Rhythm could not beat the selection, then what chance his less talented stablemate. He is sure to have been well schooled though and should play a prominent role. Mel In Blue was maybe a bit tired when making a last fence blunder at Worcester and he should strip fitter now, while South Bronx showed the benefit of a wind operation when scoring over a shorter trip here last time. He is another to consider for a place, but there can only be one winner and that is surely Turpin Green.
Turpin Green (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) With leader, led approaching 8th, headed 4 out, led again 2 out, kept on from last, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Nov beating Rebel Rhythm (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Pebble Bay 11-2 (10-0) Led to after 2nd, tracked leader, lost place after 4 out, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Covent Garden (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Nov.
South Bronx (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway 7th, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (D) gs in Oct beating Albertino Lad (11-3) by 10l, 10 ran.
Lord Payne (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened 11th, 8th of 12, well behind Turpin Green (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Nov.
Mel In Blue (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Always prominent, led 12th, jumped left 4 out, headed 3 out, blundered last, no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Idle Talk (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Nov.
Mounthooley 10-3 (10-10) Jumped right and mistakes throughout, tracked leaders, chased winner from 12th, no impression, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Silver Jack (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
No Picnic (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jorobaden (11-9) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Skenfrith 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Turpin Green (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Little Flora 14-1 (10-10) Led to 6th, remained prominent until mistake and weakened 10th, 6th of 7, well behind Ornella Speed (9-8) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs hcp chs (E) gs in Nov.
Underwriter (USA) 5-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, 3rd and 5 lengths down when fell 4 out in race won by Mon Mome (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (E) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
