tracked rival pair, effort 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, no impression from last
made all, pressed 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 1 length advantage last, quickened clear flat, ran on well
tracked winner, challenged 4 out, 1 length down last, soon ridden, well held flat
NATIVE RIVER won the Welsh National under top weight after landing the Hennessy here in November. He won over course and distance in this grade as a novice last season and is among the favourites for next month’s Gold Cup so it will be a surprise if he has his colours lowered today. Bristol De Mai wasn’t winning out of turn in the Peter Marsh at Haydock last month and the second has franked the form since. The grey’s jumping was superb that day and he also has an entry in the Gold Cup, though has a couple of pounds to find with the selection on official ratings. Le Mercurey beat Bristol De Mai in a Grade 2 at Ayr last April but that was over 2m4f, which is his trip.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 4-1jfav (11-2) Chased leaders, led 8th, pressed from 4 out, clear before last, won at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Jan beating Otago Trail (10-13) by 22l, 14 ran.
Native River (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, led 7th, headed next, led 10th, clear 4 out, ridden out, reduced lead towards finish, won at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec beating Raz De Maree (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 20 ran.
Le Mercurey (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 13th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Regal Encore (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
