headway approaching 10th, hit 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, one pace flat
chased leaders, mistake 11th, switched right to challenge approaching last, ridden to lead flat, ran on
held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, ridden and one pace from 2 out
held up and keen, headway to join leader 6th, led approaching 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, one pace
led, headed approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, ridden and every chance last, not quicken flat
Native Coral is the pick ahead of Jordan's Ridge, with Ball O Malt and Jefertiti not out of things entirely. Native Coral has been brought along slowly but surely since coming over from Ireland to make a winning debut over hurdles at Ayr in February. The plan has always been to go chasing though, and he duly did the business when sent over the bigger obstacles here in May, disposing if his three rivals with ease. He then lost nothing defeat when second to the more experienced course specialist Kid'z'play over the course and distance next time, with the favourite Kombinajca 20 lengths away in third. That form puts him very much in the driving seat on this, his handicap debut, and he can prove too smart for Jordan's Ridge. The latter has plenty of winning form to his name and is not badly treated compared to his best form over fences. Two recent outings on the Flat should have served to put him spot on, and he can make his presence felt. Ball O Malt has plenty of weight and Jefertiti returns from a break, so Native Coral has the scope to progress and should pay to follow.
Ball O Malt (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 9th halfway, 7th before 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace, 7th of 22, 15l behind Ansar (11-11) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gf in Jul.
Native Coral (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, steady headway after 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 20l behind Kid'z'play (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (D) gf in Jul.
Jordan's Ridge (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 12th, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced when blundered next, 5th of 8, 35l behind Ballycassidy (11-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs (B) gf in May.
Billie John (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up, good headway after 9th, led after 4 out, headed and mistake 3 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind East Tycoon (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf.
Jefertiti (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leader until weakened after 3 out, beaten when fell at the 5th in race won by My Galliano (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jan, 6 ran.
Jallastep (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind L'Oiseau (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in Jan.
