Akarem can win this at the expense of All The Cause and Striking Article. The selection won on his only run over hurdles for some time at Kempton last month. He has been busy on the level though during the year and looks well capable of winning with a penalty over hurdles here. Of his rivals All For The Cause will pose as the biggest danger having won or finished second on all four starts to date. He got off the mark over course and distance last time out and has to be respected once again. Striking Article has his debut over hurdles after two bumper wins one in Ireland the other Carlisle. He has obvious claims coming from a top yard so is one to note. But for the winner we return to Akarem.
Akarem 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, left clear last, stayed on well, eased flat, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Chief Scout (10-12) by 12l, 16 ran.
All For The Cause (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) In touch, headway to lead before 3 out, ridden clear when hit last, stayed on, won at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs beating Berwick Law (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Aperitif 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, headway to lead approaching 3rd, heading approaching 2 out, hung left flat, one pace, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Cottingham (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Besi 100-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Quicuyo (11-5) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) hvy.
Canny Bay 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, blundered 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Balamory Dan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Duke of Malfi 66-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 38l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Final Veto 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 15, 15l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Kalahari King (FR) 11-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, smooth headway after 4 out, ridden and staying on when hit 2 out and last, no impression flat, 3rd of 14, 5l behind All Noble (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
King In Waiting (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in moderate 4th, 5th and no impression from over 4f out, eased final furlong, 5th of 8, 10l behind Consulate (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Mayor of Seaham (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away, always behind, last of 8, 49l behind Frank Crow (9-0) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept '05 (Flat).
Nicky Tam (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent, behind from halfway, 8th of 16, 35l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Striking Article (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Raced keenly in touch, smooth headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, drew clear over 1f out, pushed out, readily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov beating Another Brother (10-7) by 6l, 14 ran.
Top Mark 9-4fav (9-7) Made all, challenge from 3f out, ridden and stayed on gamely, won at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Gallego (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran (Flat).
Veiled Applause 17-2 (9-7) Led for 2f, remained prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Risque Heights (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Thornton Princess 12-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out and weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Noble Nova (9-6) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul '06 (Flat).
Well Disguised (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Mid division, headway approaching 4 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Trafalgar Man (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
