Led, pushed along 4 out, joined before 3 out, headed 2 out, ran on
Held up in touch, closed on leaders 4 out, joined leader before 3 out, mistake 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on well, comfortably
Chased leader, ridden and headway when falling 4 out
Held up in rear, fell 5th
Near Kettering has won on Flat and over hurdles this year but is not really bred for chasing. TROOPER TURNBULL was backed to beat more experienced rivals at Kelso on his chasing bow but could find no extra in the closing stages. He will have learned plenty from that and can edge out Burrows Diamond, Sue Smith’s mare was out of her depth in Listed company last time having finished at Hexham earlier behind the more-exposed Away At Dawn, who is 10lb worse off.
Away At Dawn (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Led, not fluent 2 out, pressed 2 out, soon ridden and headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Northern Bound (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Trooper Turnbull (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in last, pushed along and headway before 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out, not much room and switched right 2 out, soon ridden, joined winner last when not fluent, stayed on, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Brelan D'As (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Burrows Diamond (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Close up, pushed along 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind The Glancing Queen (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f lst fll (1) gs in Nov.
Near Kettering 17-2 (11-4) Raced in 3rd until lost place and hit 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 21 3/4l behind Mister Sweets (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
