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Previews16 January 2025

Can Grand Sefton winner King Turgeon carry top weight to victory in Somerset National to complete four-timer?

King Turgeon: produced an efficient round of jumping in the Grand Sefton
King Turgeon: seeking a four-timerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

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There are two very progressive horses at the top and bottom of the weights here, and bookmakers couldn't separate them on the early shows.

The four-timer-seeking King Turgeon takes a drop in class after winning the Grand Sefton at Aintree and a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham on his last two outings, but having been at the bottom of the weights for those, he's saddled with 12st now.

Having looked booked for third turning for home at Cheltenham last time, he took off again approaching the second-last, although Chianti Classico, the leader at the time, unfortunately suffered a tendon injury. 

King Turgeon must concede 20lb to bottomweight Katate Dori once Dylan Johnston's claim is taken into account, and Sam Thomas's gelding is on a hat-trick after easy wins at Exeter and Chepstow.

Those were in considerably weaker events than this, however, and he is going to the well again rather quickly with this being his third run in a staying chase in 15 days, although you can hardly blame connections given he is 5lb well in.

Two of these who hold entries in Saturday's Peter Marsh Chase come here instead, almost certainly because Royale Pagaille would have left them well out of the weights at Haydock. 

Collectors Item chased home Mr Vango at Sandown when last seen, while My Silver Lining showed her first meaningful form of the season when third at Hereford last month.

She would have defended her Classic Chase crown at Warwick last Saturday had the course not been frozen, so she's likely to be cherry ripe, and she is 2-3 at Wincanton.

Credo is falling steadily down the handicap and is now a stone better off for her near 14-length fourth to My Silver Lining in last season's Classic Chase.

She is yet another course winner, as are Take Your Time and Sizable Sam (the latter over hurdles) in what looks a very competitive contest.
Analysis by Paul Kealy


Ground and weather

The going on Wednesday was good to soft (soft in places) with a forecast for dry and mainly overcast weather through to raceday, and a daytime high of 10C. 


What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Ballygrifincottage
This drop in grade should suit as he’s been running in some pretty fancy races. He’s in good form and a flat track suits him. He'd have an each-way chance.

Jonjo O’Neill, joint-trainer of Collectors Item
He ran very well to be second in the London National last time and this looks the right race for him. He’s been in good form since and goes there with a good shout.

Harry Fry, trainer of Ask Me Early
He ran well to a point on his reappearance and he's at the stage of his career where he'll be better for his first run. We had planned to run him in the Veterans' Chase Final but it was cancelled twice, and we didn't feel Market Rasen would suit him. He's probably vulnerable to a younger, more progressive horse, but I'm sure he'll give a good account.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Take Your Time
He’s run well the last twice, including when winning at Ffos Las, and this is a drop in grade. He'd have an each-way chance in an open race.

Sam Thomas, trainer of Katate Dori
Running one back so quickly is not something we often do, but we're hoping in the long run he can become a National Hunt Chase horse. With that in mind, it made sense to get a third run into him to qualify, and as he’s 5lb well in it was a no-brainer to run.
Reporting by David Milnes 


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