not fluent, led to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, mistake 5th, weakened after 3 out
prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, hanging left after last
mid-division, not fluent 4th, reminder after next, headway approaching 3 out, beaten before last
held up in rear, blundered 5th, soon ridden, well behind after 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 3 out, switched right flat, stayed on
with leader, led 2nd, clear after 4th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenged approaching 3 out, led last, driven out
in rear, behind after 7th, no chance when jumped right 2 out
mid-division, headway on inside 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, not troubled winner
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 7th, led approaching 3 out, headed last, weakened flat
Nonrunner
The market can guide us here to an extent, with a number making their jumping debut and several not having raced for a long time, but tentatively we'll side with NATURAL ACTION, ahead of Gilwen Glory and Rate Field. Natural Action has been running well consistently on the flat for Willie Haggis, but now makes his jumps debut for Peter Bowen. We're taking on trust he'll handle the fences, but there doesn't look too much to beat in the contest. Gilwen Glory's jumping wasn't the best on her hurdling debut after looking impressive in bumpers, but if she can improve on that she'll be wining at this sort of level. Rate Field is a UK debutant and having his first outing for Emma Lavelle who can get them winning first time out for her. His Irish career hasn't been spectacular by any means, but a change of scenery could contribute to a change in fortune. With so many imponderables it would be a minimum stakes race for us, with preference being for Natural Action.
Mauricetheathlete (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Kingsben (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Natural Action 3-1 (9-1) Reminders soon after start, led after 1f, set steady pace, quickened pace 4f out, ridden when carried head high over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 9, hd behind City Stable (9-1) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Aug '08 (flat).
Priors Coppice 11-2 (10-11) Raced keenly, always prominent, led 2f out, soon looked in command, ridden and hung badly left inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 11, hd behind Necromancer (11-1) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.
Rate Field (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, bad mistake and unseated rider 6 out, in a race won by Thelobstercatcher (11-4) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in May, 15 ran.
The Pike (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up, steady headway over 6f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, finished tired, 5th of 10, 30l behind Pliny (10-7) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Champagne Dancer 33-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 26l behind Veloso (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 5f sell stks (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Director's Chair 25-1 (10-13) Prominent, mistake 4th, not fluent next, weakened after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 7th of 12, 37l behind Press The Button (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Fred Kennet 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway approaching 3rd, ridden after 5th, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 34l behind Australia Day (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Adage 125-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never in contention, tailed off, 8th of 14, 28l behind Quivvy Bridge (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Gilwen Glory (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 21l behind Just Moscow (10-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Regal Angel 22-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until after 5th, ridden and soon behind, pulled up after 6th, in a race won by Lavender Track (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Bickwell 100-1 (10-7) Led, pushed along 7th, headed after next, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Converti (10-7) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
