tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, pushed along and outpaced when edged right approaching 2 out, no chance when hung right between last two, no chance with very easy winner
made all, clear and in command approaching 2 out, very easily
took keen hold tracking leaders, tracked leading pair 3rd, readily outpaced an dno chance with leading duo before 2 out, kept on for clear 3rd
held up tracking leaders, closer 3 out, driven along and readily outpaced before next
chased winner until went left 3rd, chased leaders, dropped to rear and struggling before next, tailed off
YANWORTH's margins of victory at Exeter and Warwick have only been slight but he's been doing the job with the minimum of fuss and Alan King has his sights set on the Festival. He can extend his unbeaten record over hurdles in this Grade 2, though may not have things entirely his own way. All Set To Go easily won a minor contest at Southwell on his second start under NH Rules and has plenty of scope while Aqua Dude was impressive at the same track last month. Charbel was a smart bumper horse and made a winning start over timber at Stratford. But he was then beaten at odds-on at Doncaster and meets the selection off level weights.
Charbel (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Tracked leader and keen, led after 2 out, headed and hampered by loose horse last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Go Long (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Yanworth 1-4fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, upsides when not fluent 2 out, led narrowly last, driven out flat, always just doing enough, won at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Le Prezien (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 3 out, clear before last, very easily, won at Southwell 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Kerisper (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
All Set To Go (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside from 6th, went 2nd 2 out, led going well before last, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec beating Boolavard King (11-0) by 6l, 14 ran.
Trans Express (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before next, at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.