Turnell proves he is more than Goodenough

9:52am Thursday 30th October 2008

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Broad Hinton trainer Andy Turnell, just getting his jumping string in action for the new season, showed he was still a force to be reckoned with on the flat with recent winners Connors Choice and Moves Goodenough.

It was the third win in as many weeks for Moves Goodenough after the five-year-old had trounced his rival by six lengths at Bath’s final meeting of the flat season.

Delighted owner Dave Goodenough, who runs a removals and haulage company in Swindon, told the Gazette: “I just can’t believe how much the horse has improved over recent weeks. Andy had him spot on again and placed him well, we had a bit on him the morning of the race at 10/1, so everybody was happy with the outcome.

“He did look a picture in the parade ring before the race and was given a good ride by northern based apprentice Dean Heslop, his usual jockey in apprentice races David Probert, was claimed by his governor Andrew Balding to ride Prairie Storm, who finished second in the race.

“It looks as though Moves Goodenough’s hurdles campaign could be put on hold for a bit, he won’t go up in the weights because it was an apprentice race, however with the flat turf season drawing to a close it may be difficult to find another race for him.

“ I’m not sure he likes the all weather surface, but he has been a revelation since being fitted with blinkers and has done us proud over the last three weeks.”

Barbury Castle trainer Alan King was said to be pleased with the seasonal debut of Por Vor Ustedes at Aintree on Sunday and will now head for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

However he did not come away from the course empty handed, with Squadron winning the £31,000 Intercasino .co.uk four-year-old hurdle, ridden by Robert Thornton.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s action there is a seven race card over the jumps at Ascot, at Wetherby the feature race is the Charlie Hall Chase and there are flat racing cards at Newmarket and Ayr and an evening meeting at Great Leighs.

Two former Cheltenham Gold Cup winners are scheduled to be in action with Irish raider War Of Attrition due to run in the Charlie Hall, while the Paul Nicholls trained Kauto Star is due to run in Ireland at Down Royal.

Taking on the Gold Cup winner at Wetherby among others could be the Charlie Mann trained Air Force One, Ollie Magern, Turko from the Paul Nicholls yard and the Philip Hobbs trained Monkerhostin.

Should War Of Attrition go to post he would be the column’s selection but Snoopy Loopy, who ran well at Aintree last week could well make the frame again.

BBC1 cameras will be at Ascot for three races, the Listed Byrne Group Handicap Chase that could be won by The Wicketkeeper, the William Hill Handicap Hurdle that could see the reappearance of Andy Turnells Blue Bajan and the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase where Charlies Future could run well.

There are three Listed races on the flat at Newmarket all covered by Channel 4 beginning with the EBF Montrose Fillies Stakes that could go to former Manton trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam with Bombina, The Jane Seymour Stakes could be won by the William Haggis trained Mutajarred and Don’t Panic could be in the shake up in the Ben Marshall Stakes.

At Ayr the best bet could be the Brian Smart trained Verinco in the two-year-old Nursery at 3.10.