Karabak

Karabak quickened away well off a sedate pace to land a two-mile novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham, beating the well backed and well fancied Mahonia, who was Ruby Walsh’s comeback ride after injury. It was probably significant that they chose this as Ruby’s comeback ride, as he didn’t ride the Nicholls novice chaser What A Friend earlier in the day. Karabak didn’t look to be travelling as well as the favourite going to the second last, and had to sidestep a horse, Frontier Dancer, who fell in front of him, but he quickened well on the run to the last and quickened away from Mahonia well, with the runner-up clear of the remainder. This performance also shows Mad Max up in a very good light, as he beat Karabak at Ascot last time. Both of these could be very good novices.

12th December, 2008