jumped well, made all, 7 lengths clear last, idled flat, held on well towards finish
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders until outpaced 14th
blundered and unseated rider 1st
mistakes, tracked leaders, outpaced when mistake 4 out, no impression on leading pair
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, weakened halfway, trailed off when pulled up before 14th
chased winner to 13th, outpaced 4 out
in touch, headway to chase winner 13th, effort 3 out, rallied to press winner flat, held towards finish
The Alistair Brown-trained Natiain is hard to get away from and is selected ahead of Anshan Spirit and Jupiter's Fancy. The selection is not only a course and distance winner that has won on good to firm, but his profile extends to him being very consistent at this level. He will probably be sent off as a short-priced favourite. That said, Anshan Spirit is three pounds better off for the three-and-a-half lengths he was beaten by the selection at Hexham in May of last year. Jupiter's Fancy is also a good to firm Hexham winner from last May and, if he recaptures that type of form, cannot be ruled out of a good run. The selection, though, is Natiain.
Natiain 11-4co-fav (11-11) Made all, clear after last, won at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (5) gs beating Scenic Storm (11-5) by 11l, 10 ran.
Albatros (FR) 6-4jt-fav (12-5) Nvr plcd to chall, 3rd of 5, 30l behind Mitchel Henry (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Alfie Twofourtwo (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Trckd ldrs; cl 3rd 15; one pce aft, 4th of 8, 10l behind Scenic Storm (12-5) at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gf.
Glacial Rambler (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prom til lost plce 10; stayed on frm 2 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Mitchel Henry (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
High Expectations (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, chased winner 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 9l behind True Temper (11-0) at Kelso 3m 1f mdn hts chs (5) gs.
Jupiter's Fancy 4-1 (11-12) Held up; jnd ldrs 2 out; led last; all out, won at Hutton Rudby 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Scenic Storm (12-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Anshan Spirit (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-12) Held up & bhnd; stdy prog 12; led aft 14; comf, won at Tranwell 3m ptp gd beating Lodestar (12-5) by 5l, 8 ran.
Royal Mackintosh 5-1 (12-0) Led 2-4; led 8; stayed on wl flat, won at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Millerburn (12-0) by 1l, 11 ran.