Natal is the selection, getting the call here ahead of It's A Dream, with Lennon and Stag Party looking best of the others. Natal has looked very progressive and impressive in notching up four wins from his last five starts and is poised to run a big race again. He's got class. Mind you, so has It's A Dream, who has left a very good impression in winning his last three starts, including a valuable Punchestown bumper and a Sandown novice hurdle. Lennon also clearly has ability, having won three of his seven career starts, although his bare form needs improving on to trouble the selection and, finally, Stag Party is respected from the Francois Doumen stable but, overall, looks opposable which, in turn, returns us to Natal, who gets the vote.
Natal (FR) 4-11fav (11-8) Prominent, not fluent 5th, hit 6th, headway, led 3 out, pushed clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd beating Blaeberry (10-5) by 5l, 14 ran.
Its A Dream (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden clear flat, won at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs beating Pablo Du Charmil (11-8) by 15l, 7 ran.
Lennon (IRE) 1-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, led on bit 2 out, very easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) gs beating Alphabetical (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
A One (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Keen, led 1st, headed after 4th, weakened quickly and pulled up at the last in race won by Coach Lane (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy, 11 ran.
Biscar Two (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up rear, soon ridden along, jumped left and hampered 3 out, headway when jumped left 2 out, led last, just held on, won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy beating The Luder (11-2) by a nk, 11 ran.
Haloo Baloo 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, kept on steadily approaching 2 out, no danger, 8th of 16, 19l behind Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Stag Party (FR) (9-4) Dropped back 2f out behind Midsou (8-7) at Fontainebleau 1m hcp in Nov, 18 ran (Flat).
