prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened last
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 9th, mistake 10th, ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway on inside after 10th, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven, stayed on well flat
held up, raced keenly, pecked 3rd, mistake 8th (water), weakened from 10th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
held up mid-division, pulled hard, mistake 1st, ridden, beaten approaching 3 out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, pecked 7th, ridden after 10th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd last, kept on flat
chased leader, led 5th, headed just after 2 out, staying on same pace when jumped left, not fluent last
held up, jumped slowly 2nd (water), soon driven along, tailed off approaching 10th, pulled up after 3 out
led, hit 1st, headed, mistake 5th, chased leader until just before 2 out, weakened approaching last
Native Coral caught the eye with a comfortable success last time and he looks capable of following up here, with Pretty Star a danger and Bermuda Pointe and Cash King others considered. The Nicky Richards-trained selection won over slightly further at Musselburgh but this drop back won't be a problem and he has only a 4lb rise for the win, plus conditions to suit here so he looks punting material. Pretty Star tries to defy top weight and has some solid form in context, but he probably needs a bit more of a drop before he wins again. Bermuda Pointe won a Towcester novices' contest in October but has been unable to follow that up. This step up in trip may help to elicit further improvement and the ground holds no fears so he is respected. Black De Bessy is dropping back to a more competitive mark so a better show is possible now, It's Blue Chip is too inconsistent to carry our cash, Master D'Or is in the grip of the handicapper, but No Complaint could be competitive here. Whether he is or not though, we are happy to side with Native Coral.
Pretty Star (GER) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, not fluent 7th, hit 10th and next, soon outpaced, stayed on from 3 out, hit 2 out, no impression, 5th when blundered last, 5th of 11, 15l behind Edmo Yewkay (10-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jan.
Baodai (FR) 6-1 (10-4) Always behind, 7th of 13, 32l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Black de Bessy (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 23l behind Basic Fact (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Native Coral (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, led 4 out, drew clear from 2 out, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Smart Man (10-6) by 16l, 16 ran.
Craven (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, 18l behind The Hairy Lemon (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Master d'Or (FR) 14-1 (9-7) In touch, headway 7th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, 38l behind Bring Me Sunshine (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
No Complaint (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led until 2nd, chased leader after, ridden 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Lysander (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Cash King (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Mid-division when fell 4 out in race won by Shardakhan (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Bermuda Pointe (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) In touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 9, 19l behind King Louis (11-3) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Desert Tommy 33-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Burren Legend (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
It's Blue Chip 40-1 (10-11) Prominent, joined leader 9th, led next, ridden before 2 out, headed and weakened before last, 2nd of 10, 5l behind I'm Supreme (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Inaro (IRE) 5-1fav (10-11) Chased leaders until lost position 9th, soon driven along, no impression from 4 out, 7th of 10, 20l behind Herecomestanley (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
