Native River Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 4.6s

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Selected odds by:

Ballyoptic^t¹⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 152| C| D

9/2

Finished sixth in Welsh National here last season before struggling at Haydock and falling in Aintree version. Last two wins have come over 3m on heavy/soft and now just 2lb clear of previous win-mark.

Form:

Royal Vacation^b²¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| D

12/1

Last spotted being pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham in March, went close on seasonal bow last term but this trip perhaps shorter than he wants these days.

Form:

Lil Rockerfeller^p⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 145| BF| D

3/1

Won his first three starts over fences last term, this dogged stayer hasn't entirely convinced with his fencing and was undone in that regard at Southwell in August over 2m4½f. Extra distance favourable now and nothing will try harder.

Form:

Relentless Dreamer^p,t³⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 138| C| D

6/1

Winner of a 3m1f good-ground Cheltenham handicap 350 days ago before missing remainder of the campaign during which trainer suffered a lull. Yard in thriving for now and interesting contender if fit enough.

Form:

Drinks Interval^t¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| CD

5/1

C&D novice win a year ago ensured he was 3-4 over fences but found it tougher in better company afterwards, failing to complete in three outings at spring festivals. Second runner for Colin Tizzard in this line-up.

Form:

Cloth Cap¹⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137

8/1

Wins last November at Stratford and Catterick over this sort of trip and further, fine third in Scottish Grand National at Ayr when last sighted. Goes well off a break and should be more progress in store this winter.

Form:

Captain Chaos²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

4/1

Promising sixth in Kim Muir (3m2f) Cheltenham in March, has failed to show best in two runs over C&D at this meeting previously, including 43L defeat in this last year. Rated 7lb lower now.

Form:

Non-Runners

Cap Du Nord¹³²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: Christian Williams J: Jack Tudor

Forecasts

Lil Rockerfeller (3/1), Captain Chaos (4/1), Ballyoptic (9/2), Drinks Interval (5/1), Relentless Dreamer (6/1), Cloth Cap (8/1), Cap Du Nord (10/1), Royal Vacation (12/1)

He carries top-weight but BALLYOPTIC is closing in on his previous win-mark and is certain to relish the conditions/trip on a track where he was gone well enough previously in the Welsh National. His trainer was amongst the winners on Friday and could be set for more early season gains here. Relentless Dreamer represents an in-form yard and could be a big danger if stripping fit enough, while Cloth Cap should make progress this season and it would be remiss to discount the tenacious Lil Rockerfeller.