towards rear, in rear and struggling 4th, tailed off
tracked leaders, went left 4th, chased winner after 6th until before 2 out, went 2nd again 2 out, ridden and no impression when lost moderate 2nd soon after the last, weakened to 4th flat
took keen hold tracking leaders, hit 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out and lost 2nd, hung right and dropped to 4th before the last, rallied to modest 3rd again flat
led until after 1st, chased winner until before 4th, chased leaders, weakened before 6th
held up in last pair, closer order when bumped 4th, headway to chase leaders after 6th, went moderate 2nd soon after the last, no chance with very easy winner
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders after 3rd, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out
led after 1st, made rest, clear from 2 out, kept on strongly, very easily
took keen hold tracking leaders in 5th, headway to 2nd before 4th until after 6th, weakened before 3 out, hit next
pulled hard in rear, blundered 4th, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, struggling 6th, tailed off and pulled up before last
Blades Lad, second over course and distance on his latest start in October, is rated 5lb higher than Knightly Escapade by the official handicapper. But the latter has shown enough to suggest he is capable of picking up a novices' hurdle in this grade and has the beating of Choisan. Badea won on the Polytrack last year but has disappointed recently and lacks the scope of MEADOWCROFT BOY. The latter beat a Nicky Henderson-trained odds-on chance in a well-contested bumper at Ayr in April to follow up a debut victory at Newcastle. He looks a nice hurdling prospect and can extend his unbeaten record in this.
Badea 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, 10th of 13, 13l behind Naburn (9-6) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Blades Lad 7-2 (10-12) Pulled hard tracking leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Sergeant Mattie (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Choisan (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 12th of 16, 22l behind Moss Cloud (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Gilanto (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, jumped right 6th, mistake next, soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 17, well behind Mosspark (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Heart Dancer (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, went remote 4th before 2 out, no impression, 4th of 14, 37l behind The Last Samuri (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Knightly Escapade 15-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Moss Cloud (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Meadowcroft Boy 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, edged left over 2f out, soon led, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m nhf (2) gd in Apr beating Tradewinds (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Moheebb (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always behind, 9th of 11, well behind Revocation (11-0) at Hexham 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Mr Selby 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, headway over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 7th of 12, 16l behind Mont Royale (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
Tchatchaco Ya Ya 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, lost touch halfway, 6th of 8, well behind Purple Bay (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
