always behind and tailed off
tracked winner, hampered 8th, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, hit last kept on same pace
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, chased leaders 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, under pressure 8th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on under pressure, never troubled leaders
always behind
made all, ridden 2 out, jumped right last, stayed on well
tracked winner, not fluent 2nd, mistake 6th, unseated rider soon after
in touch, hit 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened and not fluent next
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, under pressure 8th, soon beaten, pulled up 9th
Natoumba gets the nod in this opener ahead of New Perk, Jackie Boy and Thenford Star. The selection represents Henry Daly who has been in good form lately and he showed a good attitude to win last time out at Worcester in April. He is unexposed after four starts over obstacles and with more improvement to come this season, he is fancied to oblige although he wouldn't want any further rain. If the weather is wet then New Perk looks a danger. He has won on ground varying from good to soft and he should go well if his break has freshened him up. Jackie Boy represents Nigel Twiston-Davies who has his stable is good form and this consistent sort should go well despite a rise in the weights. The horse that he beat last time out, Domenico lines up again having won since. His consistency means that he needs respect. Nite Fox is likely to need the run after a near two-year lay-off, so of more interest may be Thenford Star who represents a stable in top form. All in all a tricky opener, and the vote goes to Natoumba.
Metal Detector (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Soon well behind, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up at the 23th in race won by Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gf, 14 ran.
Flash Cummins (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge next, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 2l behind Jackie Boy (10-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
New Perk (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Held up, ridden before 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Englishtown (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Domenico (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Held up, led on bit approaching last, soon ridden, wandered but kept on, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf beating Roman Rampage (10-10) by 4l, 4 ran.
Natoumba (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, headway after 3rd, slightly hampered and lost place after 9th, rallied throughout, kept on well flat to lead close home, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Apr beating My Rosie Ribbons (11-7) by 1l, 15 ran.
Nite Fox (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct '05 beating Baikaline (10-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In touch, reminders after 8th, no fluent next, soon outpaced, rallied approaching 14th, went 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Mighty Matters (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Jackie Boy (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) In touch, led 3 out, ridden before next, all out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Domenico (10-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Thenford Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, effort approaching 2 out, ran on flat, not reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Jackie Boy (10-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Little Shilling (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Prominent in main group, led approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, not quicken flat, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Fakima (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 9th, behind when mistake 13th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Arnold Layne (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 13 ran.
