Racecards
13:20 Taunton
H.b.l.b. Novices' Chase (Class 3)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £12,000 added
- Form 9-413F3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey L P Aspell
led, headed after 4th, chased leaders from 6th, weakening when left 2nd and hampered 5 out, mistake next
- Form 4361-12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leader, led briefly after 4th, led 5 out, left clear and eased flat
- Form 542-166
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer R M Carson
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leading trio, behind from halfway, left poor 3rd 5 out
- Form 1P2-491
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
started slowly and detached, led after 4th, narrowly headed when fell 5 out
In depth
Verdict
Natal will start off a short priced favourite in this novice chase and will win if putting in a clear round at the expense of Bureaucrat and Arrayou. The selection had to settle for second best behind Fair along at Cheltenham last time out. That form has been franked having seen Fair Along beat the best in the land at Sandown last time out. So with that in mind and the fact that Natal was rated one hundred and forty two over hurdles means he should have no problem winning this. Bureaucrat will be the only danger having won over course and distance last time out. He also gets a weight consession being a four year old so any chincks in the favourites armour then he may take advantage. Arrayou has won a novice chase at Southewll earlier in the year but will struggle to lay up with the market leaders so for the winner we return to Natal.
Formwatch
Arrayou (FR) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from next to take 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Natal (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Chased winner, ridden and 3 lengths down when stumbled slightly 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Fair Along (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Hail The King (USA) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 24l behind Love Angel (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Bureaucrat 8-15fav (10-7) Made all, in command when blundered last, driven out flat, won at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Nov beating Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) by 2l, 3 ran.