led, headed after 4th, chased leaders from 6th, weakening when left 2nd and hampered 5 out, mistake next
tracked leader, led briefly after 4th, led 5 out, left clear and eased flat
tracked leading trio, behind from halfway, left poor 3rd 5 out
started slowly and detached, led after 4th, narrowly headed when fell 5 out
Natal will start off a short priced favourite in this novice chase and will win if putting in a clear round at the expense of Bureaucrat and Arrayou. The selection had to settle for second best behind Fair along at Cheltenham last time out. That form has been franked having seen Fair Along beat the best in the land at Sandown last time out. So with that in mind and the fact that Natal was rated one hundred and forty two over hurdles means he should have no problem winning this. Bureaucrat will be the only danger having won over course and distance last time out. He also gets a weight consession being a four year old so any chincks in the favourites armour then he may take advantage. Arrayou has won a novice chase at Southewll earlier in the year but will struggle to lay up with the market leaders so for the winner we return to Natal.
Arrayou (FR) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from next to take 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Natal (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Chased winner, ridden and 3 lengths down when stumbled slightly 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Fair Along (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Hail The King (USA) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 24l behind Love Angel (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Bureaucrat 8-15fav (10-7) Made all, in command when blundered last, driven out flat, won at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Nov beating Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) by 2l, 3 ran.
