held up, ridden from 6th, plugged on, never on terms
mid-division, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear last
led, mistake and headed 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, smooth headway 4 out, challenged winner 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, close up approaching 2 out, soon held
mid-division and keen, headway and mistake 8th, switched right to chase leading pair 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened when mistake 3 out
towards rear, pulled up after 7th and dismounted
mid-division on outside, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in rear when mistake 1st, lost touch from 5th
mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th
mid-division, weakened after 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Carl Llewellyn has been struggling for winners of late but his runner here Cabinet Minister was good value for his success at Folkestone last month and he has to be respected but may have to settle for minor honours behind KARABAK, who gets the nod over Kangaroo Court. Emma Lavelle's gelding stepped up on his debut effort for connections when running out the good winner of a novice hurdle at Doncaster last time and on that evidence he has solid claims. Brendan Powell's Award Winner was well held by United (runs in the 2.50) at Haydock last time but he is better than that run suggests and cannot be completely ruled out. Somersby looks to be going the right way judged by his recent Kempton success but it is Karabak that gets the vote. Alan King's gelding showed decent form in bumpers, has carried that over to hurdles and he looks the one they all have to beat.
Award Winner 11-2 (10-4) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, well behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Karabak (FR) 11-4 (11-0) In touch, slightly hampered 2 out, headway soon after, led last, soon clear, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Mahonia (11-8) by 9l, 9 ran.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Made all, 6 lengths clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Prince Sabaah (11-4) by 10l, 10 ran.
Kangaroo Court (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division and keen, chased leader 3 out, soon led, left clear next, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Honest John (10-12) by 17l, 21 ran.
Our Bomber Harris 6-5fav (10-12) Awkward early, tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Tullamore Dew (11-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Somersby (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, led last, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Clova Island (10-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Ballymorn (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division and keen, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 38l behind Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Diflock 16-1 (11-7) Held up; hdwy 14; led on bit 2 out; v easily, won at Stafford Cross 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Briteside (11-7) by 8l, 10 ran.
Dont Tell The Wife (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Quazy de Joie (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Dreamy Sweeney (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Keen, mid-division, close up when brought down 2 out in race won by Karabak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Jetlag (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, never in contention, 8th of 16, 31l behind Qroktou (11-2) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Rock Salmon 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, mistake last, 5th of 16, 20l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Santo Stefano (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up in touch, left in lead 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Bolodenka (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Led, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, kept on, no extra, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
