made all, ridden and pressed from 3 out, stayed on, forged clear towards finish
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd before 5th, challenged 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden and edged right, every chance flat, no impression towards finish
held up, headway on outside after 2nd, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, went 3rd latter stages
held up, weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place when not fluent 5th, weakened after 7th
with winner, not fluent 1st, lost 2nd 5th, losing place next, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
HIT THE HIGHWAY continued his upward trajectory when scoring emphatically over course and distance last time, having previously finished second to the useful Emerging Force at Fontwell on his hurdling debut. A winning pointer, he's very much going the right way for the underrated Giles Smyly team and is taken to outpoint his obvious main rival in Knockgraffon. The latter is another progressive sort for the Skeltons who battled on doughtily to score over course and distance when last seen. There should be little between the pair with the Smyly inmate just getting the nod. Briery Queen, a good ground winner at Doncaster in November and Pine Warbler, definitely open to improvement, add further spice to an interesting novice hurdle.
Hit The Highway (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led until 2nd, led approaching 5th, drawing clear when jumped left 2 out and last, easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec beating Ballycross (10-12) by 13l, 14 ran.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway on inside approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating King Kayf (10-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Briery Queen 7-2 (11-0) Tracking leader when fell 5th, at Haydock 2m 3f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Pine Warbler 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 7th, 6th before 3 out, closed next, 3rd from last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 14 1/4l behind Hit The Highway (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Sir Bentley 33-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place 5th, 8th of 13, dist behind Dalaki (11-5) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Midnight Jade (IRE) 125-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, dist behind Battle Of Shiloh (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
The Model County (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place when mistake 5th, tailed off after next, 11th of 13, dist behind Millanisi Boy (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
