held up mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 10th, led before last, soon clear, eased
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, under pressure 9th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leader, mistake 7th, every chance 3 out, soon under pressure and one pace
behind, reminders 6th, pulled up before next
led, not fluent 3rd, driven and headed approaching last, no extra
mid-division, weakened 3 out
If NATURAL ACTION had been carrying the seven pound penalty he has on his back here last time he still would have won so given that Peter Bowen's runner is the pick in a weak looking Handicap Hurdle with Won More Night looking the main danger and Ashmolian looking cracking each-way value if allowed to start at the forecast price. Eight lengths was the margin of the bloodless victory for the selection against slightly better opposition last time. There is a slight doubt over the ground conditions suiting him but as long as he handles it he should be following up. Ashmolian found just one too good in a maiden hurdle last time but looks competitively treated back in these ranks especially has he definitely goes well on this ground and place claims are strong for this one. Won More Night has been solid so far in his career since joining the jumping ranks and we expect him to run his race again while English Jim shaped well on his first start of the campaign and if improving for that he has a chance of getting involved. There is a doubt over whether the ground suits Natural Action but in such a weak race we'd rather be with him than against him.
Natural Action 5-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well from last, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs beating Shadow Dancer (11-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Over The Flow 6-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 29l behind Gilwen Glory (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Ashmolian (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up in rear and well off the pace, closed up 6th, went 3rd next, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, well held and left modest 2nd last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Casual Garcia (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Eastwell Smiles 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, chased leaders approaching 3 out until weakened before next, 8th of 16, 26l behind Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Won More Night 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 8, 3l behind Campfire Tales (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Meet Me At Dawn 50-1 (11-2) Led, jumped right and headed 3rd, chased leaders, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 17, 26l behind Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd.
English Jim (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 11, 11l behind Loom (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy.
