led to 12th, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced
held up behind, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on well but no chance with winner
pecked badly 1st, soon pulled up
with leader and jumped left throughout, hit 6th, led 12th, quickened on bit 4 out, jumped badly left 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, driven clear from last
In the novices' chase, Turko is selected ahead of Boychuk and Predator. Predator has quickly rattled up a four-timer and is decent although, stepping up in grade, he will do well to give weight to some decent rivals. These include the very useful juvenile hurdler, Turko, who won well at Aintree on his chasing debut, and Boychuk, a Grade 2 winning hurdler who looked better the further he went on his winning chasing debut, in which he beat Bowleaze, who is now two pounds better off for three lengths but it might not be enough to reverse the form. Finally, Aztec Warrior dispalyed ability over hurdles and, only lightly raced, should make a better chaser. Overall, though, the vote goes to Turko.
Predator (GER) 2-1fav (11-8) With leader, mistake 4th, led approaching 3 out, not fluent last, pushed clear, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf beating Cream Cracker (10-8) by 5l, 11 ran.
Bowleaze (IRE) 1-5fav (11-0) Prominent until 5th, tracked leader, led after 11th, idled but always in command after, won at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Missy Moscow (10-7) by 5l, 3 ran.
Boychuk (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Never fluent early, led until after 1st, tracked leader, challenged 4 out, soon ridden, led last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gf in Oct beating Bowleaze (11-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, not a danger after hit last, 5th of 14, 11l behind Moon Over Miami (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Turko (FR) 4-7fav (10-5) Made most, hit 4 out, clear from 2 out, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Il Duce (11-10) by 12l, 6 ran.
