reminders, soon led, jumped left throughout, headed 10th, ridden after next, no chance from 4 out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, always held
tracked leader, led 10th, stayed on well
ORACLE DES MOTTES is selected to account for My Turn Now and Or Jaune. The ten-year-old has actually performed much better than some of his recent form figures may suggest and while there is always the worry that he will vulnerable to an improver, there does not appear to be such as issue here. My Turn Now was a very smart hurdler on his day. A winner at Worcester and Market Rasen over the larger obstacles, his recent run at Ascot over hurdles should have blown the cobwebs off. Or Jaune won well at the course in January. The form of that race may be a little suspect as market leader, Lodge Lane, never jumped with any fluency but that said, Gary Moore's runner could do no more than win on the day. It is a shame that this valuable prize has attracted such an insulting turnout but there is no deadwood today and Oracles Des Mottes gets our vote.
My Turn Now (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Chased leader to 5th, soon ridden and steadily lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Serabad (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) hvy, 14 ran.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and plugged on from 3 out to take 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 17, 12l behind Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Or Jaune (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 12th, led next, headed 14th, rallied to regain lead 2 out, all out, won at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Mount Oscar (10-12) by a nk, 7 ran.
