chased leaders, ridden 7th, soon lost place, virtually pulled up flat
tracked leaders and keen, led 3 out, headed next, one pace flat
tracked leaders, reminders 7th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 5th, driven and lost place next
held up, headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, headed run-in, no extra close home
held up, headway 4 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led flat, easily
held up, never troubled leaders
mid-division, reminders 6th, driven and weakened next
led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace from next
in rear, ridden halfway, tailed off from 6th
Malcolm Jefferson and Jonjo O'Neill are the two trainers in the best form and they are responsible for Naturally Inspired and GALAXY ROCK and it is the last-named who strikes a chord. Now qualified for handicaps after three qualifying runs in novice company, the selection has been allotted a mark of 95. This may not be the limit for this well-related son of Heron Island and with the very competent Ritchie McLernon a plus in these races, a big run is anticipated. Naturally Inspired is another who makes his handicap bow and he is to be respected, however his runs to date would suggest that he might prefer a quicker surface than the currently forecast good to soft. Hereditary ran well in defeat last time at Huntingdon in the first time tongue-tie and blinkers combo and if they work again then he shouldn't be far away, whilst More Like It needs to improve for the return to hurdles as his recent chasing form has been disappointing. Lawgiver has been given a break since his last run at Sedgefield and he has been dropped 3lbs in the weights, however in a tricky handicap the nod is given to Galaxy Rock.
Naturally Inspired (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 14, 36l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Hereditary 16-1 (11-12) With leaders, lost place briefly after 6th, rallied to go 2nd after 7th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 20, 5l behind Gallileo Figaro (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
