KAREZAK (34) engaged in a long duel with the runner-up when narrowly winning in what I rate listed class time for a juvenile hurdler on his first try over timber at Chepstow. A good-sized, strong sort, he dragged his back legs through the second last then slipped on landing when repeating the error at the last before rallying to get back up on the run in.

Trainer Alan King says he thinks Karezak is best on big galloping courses, so I imagine he will be planning to bring him back to Chepstow for the Finale Juvenile Hurdle.