tracked leaders, led approaching last, headed soon after, one pace
in touch, close up 2nd when fell 2 out
led, mistake 4th, headed approaching last, weakened
held up, ridden 2 out, no impression
keen, mid-division, close up when brought down 2 out
in touch, slightly hampered 2 out, headway soon after, led last, soon clear
mistake 1st, in rear, never dangerous
tracked leader from 2nd, ridden 2 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, hampered next, plugged on, never dangerous
MAHONIA will be of interest to many because it sees the return to action of Ruby Walsh after having his spleen removed, but it is the horse's promise that makes him of more interest to us and he gets the vote to win again. Although he has a penalty for his facile win at Exeter, the selection should be able to cope. The second Medermit has won since, his bumper form from last year reads well, and he is taken to oblige. Karabak is an interesting rival; Alan King's son of Kahyasi ran the impressive Mad Max close on his hurdling debut at Ascot and looks the most likely to bustle up the favourite. Dreamy Sweeney showed ability in the Irish point to point scene and represents a stable going well; he may prefer further than this bare trip however. Mr Sykes, Frontier Dancer and What A Buzz have all shown ability, whilst You're The Top should improve for his hurdling debut at Kempton. A fascinating race, with Mahonia taken to oblige.
Mahonia (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) Led after 1st, drew clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Medermit (11-8) by 13l, 11 ran.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, edged left approaching 2 out, soon ridden, clear when mistake last, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Make Haste (10-12) by 8l, 18 ran.
What A Buzz 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Massasoit (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct, 16 ran.
Ballinderry Park (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, went moderate 5th approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 32l behind Mad Max (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Dreamy Sweeney (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 11th halfway, kept on same straight, 6th of 20, more than 13l behind Mask Of Darkness (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 2f nhf sft in Mar.
Karabak (FR) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, challenged and upsides 2 out, ridden and still well there last, kept on, readily held by winner flat, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Mad Max (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Little Eaglet (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 19, 29l behind Bensalem (11-0) at Sandown 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
Mr Sykes (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 5th before 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 21, 44l behind Bob Lingo (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
You're The Top (FR) 5-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
