Taking a line through Medermit, who Mahonia beat comfortably on his hurdling debut at Exeter in November, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has every chance but his subsequent defeat behind Karabak at Cheltenham is of concern and preference is for DEE EE WILLIAMS, who gets the verdict ahead of Clay Hollister. Nicky Henderson's gelding showed fair form in bumpers and won with plenty in hand on his first start over timber when landing a novices' hurdle over course and distance. He has to be respected and makes more appeal than Benfleet Boy, who has more to do than when landing a weaker race at Doncaster last time. Henrietta Knight's Kempton winner Somersby and Carl Llewellyn's Cabinet Minister, who was good value for his win at Folkestone and looks to be going the right way cannot be ruled out but Dee Ee Williams has the best form in the book and he looks the one they all have to beat. Although narrowly beaten by Medermit at Ascot last time and having a bit to find with Mahonia on a line through him, the Evan Williams-trained gelding lost no caste in defeat that day and earlier form makes him a decent recruit.
Benfleet Boy 4-1 (10-12) Made all, drew clear approaching 2 out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating The Panama Kid (10-12) by 9l, 11 ran.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Made all, 6 lengths clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Prince Sabaah (11-4) by 10l, 10 ran.
Clay Hollister 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, led 2 out, clear before last, very easily, won at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Quiver Hill (11-0) by 13l, 14 ran.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Close up, went 2nd after 5th, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, rallied gamely, just held, 2nd of 8, shd behind Medermit (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Mahonia (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, headed soon after, one pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Karabak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Somersby (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, led last, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Clova Island (10-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
