held up in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off 5 out
chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon hung left, kept on into 2nd after last, not pace of winner
tracked leader, every chance when dived at 3 out, led last, ran on
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, modest 4th
led, driven 3 out, headed last, no extra closing stages
HAWK HIGH gets another chance having found one too good again when starting favourite for a similar event over track and trip last month. Tim Easterby’s charge still finished clear of the rest and Brian Hughes remains loyal despite partnering Ballyvic Boru to victory over course and distance in October. The latter has struggled since that success and undergone recent wind surgery while though Niven finished runner-up over these fences on Boxing Day it was over a longer trip. Katpoli scored over today’s distance at Southwell last month but is now 10lb higher while Azzuri finished tailed off behind the selection last time.
Azzuri 20-1 (11-9) Always behind, last of 7, dist behind Marracudja (11-1) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Hawk High (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) In touch, mistake 8th, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Marracudja (11-1) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Katpoli (FR) 5-2fav (11-2) Jumped left, prominent in chasing group, slightly awkward 5th, went badly left and mistake 9th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 12, dist behind Locker Room Talk (11-4) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ballyvic Boru (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 18 1/2l behind Nuts Well (11-2) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Niven (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Led 2nd, headed 5th, led 7th, headed next, mistake 11th, soon looked in trouble, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Beau Bay (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
