started slowly, held up well in rear, steady headway before 3 out, tracked leaders in 4th 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, every chance last, stayed on flat, just held
raced on inside, made virtually all, pressed last, driven flat, stayed on gamely and always just holding on
raced wide, held up, headway to chase leaders after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
raced wide, chased winner until before 5th, weakened before next, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd before 2 out until approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd
held up in last trio, reminders 4th, soon outpaced, lost touch next and soon pulled up
chased leaders, went 2nd before 5th until before 2 out, weakened soon after
The Darling Boy showed at Bangor in December that he can go well after a break. He's only a couple of pounds higher here and must go on the short-list. Dalrymple was in decent form prior to his run in a better race at Wincanton earlier this month but Award Winner has only ever won over hurdles when A P McCoy has been in the saddle. JOIN THE NAVY was making his debut over hurdles when winning over track and trip nine days ago. He was a 50/1 chance that day but there looked to be no fluke about his victory and he may be good enough to defy a penalty.
Join The Navy 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway tracking leaders before 3 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, hard rideen flat, held on, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy beating Here's Herbie (11-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
The Darling Boy 9-2 (11-3) Led and soon clear, mistake 4th, ridden before 2 out, soon pressed, headed narrowly run-in, rallied and just held post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Kayfrou (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Dalrymple (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, went modest 5th flat, never on terms, 5th of 12, 14l behind Aldopicgros (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Award Winner 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost place 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Lookout Mountain (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Crackerjack 66-1 (10-11) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Zulu Oscar (11-2) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std.
Supernoverre (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Sarenice (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec.
Moneymix 12-1 (10-1) Prominent, led before 2nd until after 2nd, led again 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased winner, ridden and no immpression when edged left under pressure flat, lost 2nd final 100 yards, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 13, 6l behind Join The Navy (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
Billy My Boy 66-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden 5th, fell 3 out, in a race won by Milo Man (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
