held up, mistake 2nd, headway 9th to chase leader, led last, pushed out
held up, headway half way to chase leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last
in touch, jumped slowly, dropped rear 5th, no danger after
led to 6th, remained close up, dropped rear 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, reminders early, pushed along, lost place halfway, outpaced from 4 out
tracked leader, led 6th, headed last, kept on same pace
Native Coral gets the vote here ahead of Celtic Boy, Russian Sky and Iris's Prince. Nicky Richards has been patient with Native Coral so far, as he reckons that the gelding has a bright future, and indeed he has already been successful over fences at Perth last August, giving lumps of weight away to his opponents in a handicap. He seemed to run out of steam when beaten over two-and-three-quarter miles at Market Rasen next time and was put away to strengthen up. He has to shoulder a penalty here on his reappearance but has gone well fresh in the past and should be up to the task if anywhere near fit. The other penalised runner is Celtic Boy who also returns to the fray after being pulled up at Wincanton last November. His confidence seemed to be dented after an earlier foot injury, and he is perhaps best watched this time. Russian Sky has had three outings over fences, and looks to be going the right way. He will be all the fitter as well for a fair effort over the course-and-distance a fortnight ago and is no back number. Iris's Prince looks best of the rest but he has basically been frustrating to follow, and our vote goes to Native Coral.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Soon behind, not fluent 5th, lost touch 8th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Celtic Son (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Native Coral (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Held up, headway after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 26l behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Iris's Prince Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 5 out, soon headed, chased winner from 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Darialann (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f beg chs (4) gf in Apr.
Mounthooley 10-1 (10-0) Led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 9th, headed before 2 out, ridden and rallied flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Bafana Boy (11-2) at Perth 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
No Picnic (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) In touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, 5th of 10, well behind Noir Et Vert (10-11) at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Russian Sky 11-2 (9-12) Led, mistake 12th, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Harlov (10-0) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Rainha 40-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off from halfway, 5th of 9, well behind Pass Me By (11-2) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Apr.
