BABY SHINE had decent form in bumpers last season and made a very promising start to her hurdling career at Leicester last month when drawing clear of the odds-on Tempest River. She may be the one to beat here though Native Beauty can't be ignored after getting the better of Bygones Sovereign at Towcester when previous winner Financial Climate was only third. Mattoral won easily at Chepstow on only his second outing over timber and is open to further improvement but The Pretender may need more time. Favoured Nation may be the pick of Jonjo O'Neill's quintet but still faces a stiff task.
Baby Shine (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Always prominent, led 4th, soon headed, led again before 2 out, pushed out flat, won at Leicester 2m mares NH nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Tempest River (11-8) by 4l, 12 ran.
Bally Gunner 66-1 (11-4) Held up, took keen hold, shaken up 2 out, stayed on flat, never near to challenge, 7th of 18, 19l behind Waterunder (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Crete (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Carrigmorna King (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Douchkirk (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 18, 27l behind Waterunder (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Favoured Nation (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leader until approaching 4th where badly hampered and lost place, behind and eased, tailed off, not recover, 8th of 10, 30l behind Ile De Re (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
High Road (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Vulcanite (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
I Know The Code (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Awkward 2nd, always off the pace in 6th, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 48l behind Fourth Estate (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
It Is What It Is (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Valley.
Mighty Mambo 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner well before last, soon demoted to 3rd, mistake last, 5th of 15, 38l behind Double Ross (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Millers Reef (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Danandy (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Native Beauty (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, closed 5th, challenged 3 out, led before next where not fluent, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Bygones Sovereign (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sharpshooter (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up well in rear, reminder approaching 3rd, always behind, 10th of 15, 41l behind Jump City (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
The Pretender (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, good headway on inside after 3 out, went 4th when hit 2 out and hampered, beaten when blundered last, lost poor 3rd post, 4th of 11, 26l behind Grove Pride (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Twirling Magnet (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden in 5th after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 14, 34l behind Grandads Horse (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Mattoral 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed next, led again 4 out, ridden 2 out, narrowly headed when left well clear last, won at Chepstow 2m 4yo hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating The Right Time (10-2) by 16l, 7 ran.
Nova Sam (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 12, 41l behind Fire Fighter (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
