tracked leader, soon with leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, led last, kept on
led to 4 out, soon reminders, weakened from next
held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and every chance before 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance 3 out, led before 2 out, headed last, lost 2nd place towards finish
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, quickly weakened
Taj Badalandabad won a couple of bumpers in the spring and started favourite for his hurdling debut at Wetherby. He wasn't disgraced and put that experience to good use at Chepstow last month against ordinary opposition. He's likely to make a bold bid to defy his penalty but SPICE FAIR, a thorough stayer on the Flat, made a very promising-if-belated start over hurdles here when only beaten a length with a well-regarded sort back in third. Mark Usher's chestnut deserves the chance to go one better on slightly quicker going. Ballyknock Lad gave the impression a longer trip wouldn't come amiss when fourth at Warwick but he looks the pick of the remainder as Wild Bill definitely needs further and the ground may be too testing for Gioia Di Vita.
Taj Badalandabad (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Chased leaders, left 2nd before 2nd, led approaching 4 out, soon clear, hit 2 out, shaken up between last two, kept on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Quinlandio (10-12) by 4l, 14 ran.
Ballyknock Lad (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway approaching 5th, modest 5th when hit last, plugged on flat, 4th of 18, 28l behind Aso (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Beg To Differ (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 7th of 18, 42l behind Aso (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Bold Duke 100-1 (10-7) With leaders, led after 3rd until after 4th, not fluent 5th, soon lost place, well held before 3 out, 7th of 16, 23l behind Jack Frost (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Gioia Di Vita 14-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 10l behind Rockawango (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct (flat).
Glendermot (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In rear, not always fluent, shaken up after 5th, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind El Namoose (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Himalayan Peak 66-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 18l behind Okavango (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct '13 (flat).
Isaac Bell (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, closed approaching 4th, 2nd soon after 3 out, pushed along and no chance with very easy winner before 2 out, 2nd of 18, 15l behind Aso (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Joe Bugg (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 15th of 18, 46l behind Garde La Victoire (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '13.
League Of His Own (IRE) 7-4 (12-2) Ld & j right, red adv 4out, hdd 2out, rdn & ko bhnd, 4th of 7, 28l behind Shanroe Santos (12-2) at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp in Oct.
Spice Fair 6-1 (10-12) Held up, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway next, led before 2 out, mistake last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Fingers Crossed (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
The Gunner Brady (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, well behind Aso (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Wild Bill (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Close up in 4th, went 3rd at 8th, ridden and slightly outpaced 2 out, rallied to go 2nd soon after last, kept on, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Broxbourne (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
