held up in 4th, tracked leading pair 4 out, challenged next, every chance 2 out, driven approaching last, soon ridden and one pace, always held by unextened winner flat
raced keenly, tracked leading pair to 4 out, not fluent next, outpaced when switched outside before 2 out, weakened before last
led, joined 3 out, soon headed, weakened next
tracked leader, challenged on bit 3 out, soon took narrow lead, in command before last, unextended
raced keenly, held up in rear, headway when switched towards stands side 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace, never troubled front pair
NATHANS PRIDE has been in prolific winning form for Tim Vaughan with three wins from the last four starts but is faced by a couple of interesting sorts from the Flat as he bids to extend his sequence. The claim of the improving Alan Johns will aid his cause as the young conditional has partnered the topweight to success recently. Chesterfield is another off the Darley-bred production line for John Ferguson and could be a fascinating hurdling recruit as he was a useful handicapper on the level for Godolphin and receives plenty of weight from Nathans Pride. He may well have too much class but we'll stick with the proven form. Classic Colori has a first run for Martin Keighley since landing a small Doncaster claimer this month and the fair Flat performer is next best.
Classic Colori (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 27l behind Supreme Asset (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov '12.
Cottenwood (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, some headway when misake 2 out, soon well beaten, 6th of 14, 33l behind Retrieve (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
First Lad 100-1 (10-9) In rear, not fluent 10th, mistake next, tailed off next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Lamb Or Cod (11-4) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd in May, 5 ran.
Chesterfield (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) In rear, headway to challenge over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Thomas Hobson (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct (flat).
Norphin 100-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, chased winner until led 3rd until before 5th, chased winner until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened quickly after 3 out, soon tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Rolling Maul (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Nathans Pride (IRE) 8-15fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear 2 out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Camachoice (10-10) by 17l, 7 ran.
Blizzard Blues (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, headway chasing leaders before 7th, ridden and weakened quickly approaching next, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Geton Xmoor (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) sft in May, 10 ran.
