Naturally Inspired, Bonny Bright Eyes and Stormy Waters make the shortlist here, with NATURALLY INSPIRED taken to follow up some decent performances. Placed twice in non sellers on the Flat, Bonny Bright Eyes ran well at the head of affairs on his hurdling bow, before fading into fourth. That was only a seller however, and he will need to improve significantly to get in the shake up. Nicky Richards had a winner at Ayr on Saturday, and his debutant here, Stormy Waters, looks an interesting type. A daughter of the useful Flat performer Karinga Bay and closely related to the stable's winning Windy Hills, she should have some speed, and the market should be heeded as to her chances. Malcolm Jefferson has his string in fine form, and Naturally Inspired looks a winner waiting to happen. The mare is a grand-daughter of Law Society, and after showing good promise in bumpers, she was given a five month break before re-appearing at Towcester for her jumping bow, where she ran well for a long way before fading. Sharper for that run, she was only run out of it in the closing stages at Catterick next time. If she shows the same sort of improvement here, Naturally Inspired will be hard to beat.
Amulree 10-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 10, well behind Brackenmoss (11-2) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Bumble Rose (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened 4 out, last of 7, well behind Brackenmoss (10-7) at Ayr 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Crow Spinney 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Just Posh (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lemon Drizzle (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 6th of 10, 37l behind Pelican Point (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Millbury 40-1 (10-13) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Naturally Inspired (FR) 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Elzahann (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Patchoulie Conti (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Prominent until weakened over 3f out, 13th of 14, 35l behind Pre Token (11-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun '07.
Pugnacity 33-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 19l behind Jane of Arc (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sll (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
Shenandoah Girl 25-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 14, 40l behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Stormy Waters Karinga Bay mare out of Chinook's Daughter.
Twilight Dawn 20-1 (9-12) Behind, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost touch, last of 12, 47l behind Flying Valentino (9-7) at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Jun (Flat).
Wheyaye 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division when fell at the 7th in race won by Fortysecond Street (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Bonny Bright Eyes 20-1 (10-2) Led, clear approaching 5th, headed after 2 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 22l behind Barashi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Born To Frill 100-1 (10-2) Held up and keen, swerved right and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Barashi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Vallani (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Always behind, lost touch from 4th, 5th of 7, well behind West With The Wind (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Zaurel (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, well behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
