held up behind, steady progress after 3 out, ridden in 5th after 2 out, weakened last
not fluent 1st, blundered badly 2nd, behind from next, hampered 2 out
always mid-division
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and held when mistake last
never better than mid-division
prominent, led 4th, ridden and narrowly headed approaching last, rallied gamely under strong pressure to lead flat, all out
led until blundered badly 4th, chased winner until weakened soon after 2 out
mid-divsion, headway after 5th, ridden into narrow advantage approaching last, headed flat, no extra
always in rear, fell 2 out
always behind
chased leaders until blundered badly and dropped rear 5th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, never a threat after
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, ridden and every chance after 2 out, 4th and beaten when not fluent last
A competitive handicap hurdle to finish with in which the narrow vote goes to AWESOME GEORGE over Spear Thistle, Harry Tricker and top-weight Five Dream. The last-named must be on any shortlist but carrying top-weight in this ground is likely to be a tough task. His form in better races stands out but the classy gelding may just struggle this afternoon. Instead then we prefer Awesome George who races off a feather-weight with his rider's claim taken into account. Charlie Huxley has ridden the horse to all of his wins and Alan King's course and distance winner is taken to make a successful transition from Novice company. Presenting Copper is classy and Phillip Hobbs' mare comes here on the back of a solid second to Herecomesthetruth at Chepstow. She handles the ground and stays well so rates a danger to all returning to hurdles off an 8lb lower mark. The Jazz Musician hasn't been seen for a while and this is a tough introduction, so a bigger threat could be Culcabock who has been holding his form well all season and is respected despite another rise in the weights. Spear Thistle continues to improve but now has no secrets from the handicapper off a mark of 126, Rich Lord needs to build on his recent second, whilst Secret Tune looks sure to appreciate the drop in trip today. Hernando Royal and Harry Tricker are two more to keep a close eye on off their light weights, but it is Awesome George who can live up to his name.
Five Dream (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, hit 6th, headway to chase leader well before last, weakened before last, 4th of 5, 19l behind Lough Derg (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
The Jazz Musician (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, soon shaken up, ran on strongly, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar beating I Hear A Symphony (11-0) by 11l, 15 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch and keen, led approaching last, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating I Have Dreamed (11-3) by 2l, 17 ran.
King's Revenge 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and beaten when hit last 2, 8th of 12, 14l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Unfurled (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, steady headway 4 out, chased leaders before next, chased winner, going well enough from 2 out, ridden and jumped right last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cockney Trucker (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Dansimar 7-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Pride of Dulcote (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Presenting Copper (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased winner from 2nd, ridden after 5 out, kept on from next, always being held, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Spear Thistle 10-1 (10-6) Made most until narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging and every chance, rallied to lead briefly towards finish, caught final strides, 2nd of 12, nk behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Matuhi 6-1 (11-9) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden after 3 out, struck on head by rival's whip between last 2, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 5l behind Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Awesome George 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway on outer after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon chasing leader, led well before last, ridden and stayed on well flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs beating Ring Bo Ree (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 1.
Freeloader (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 15l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Rich Lord 16-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, 5 lengths down when blundered last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Issaquah (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Laustra Bad (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Theatre Diva (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Secret Tune 11-4 (11-5) In touch and keen, weakened 5 out, 5th of 14, well behind Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hernando Royal 6-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, driven to take narrow lead 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 4th of 12, 2l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Harry Tricker 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, effort on outside after 2 out, kept on run-in, not reach leaders, 6th of 15, 5l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
