prominent, led 4th, clear when jumped left 2 out and last, ridden out
held up, left closer 7th, 3rd after 3 out, one pace from next
led until 4th, upsides when fell 7th
tracked leaders, badly hampered and rider did very well to stay on 7th, lost loads of momentum and dropped back to modest 6th, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd when not fluent last, closed on winner all the way to the finish
towards rear, mistake 6th, very modest progress after 3 out, mistake and well beaten 2 out
prominent, reminder after 3rd, slightly hampered and left 2nd 7th, no impression when not fluent 2 out, 4th and weakening last
tracked leaders, outpaced before 6th, left 3rd 7th until after 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear, terrible mistake 2nd, well behind after
mid-division on outside, jumped right at times, behind before 4th
in touch, lost ground on leaders before 6th, weakened after 3 out
The novice hurdles held here this season seem to be above average and this is another decent contest in which WADE HARPER is taken to score. He's improving with racing for David Dennis and looked better than ever when gaining a deserved success at Doncaster and faces similar conditions here. He can supplement those gains and defy his penalty. Beggars Cross requires a market check as the O'Neill team returns to form and Just Georgie could also get involved but Double W's is the prime threat, especially if reproducing his Cheltenham handicap third to A Hare Breath. That was such a fine effort it was a disappointing to see him beaten next time but he does need talking very seriously back in novice company.
Wade Harper (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden flat, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec beating Go Long (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Banny's Lad 8-11fav (12-3) Trckd ldrs; went 2nd app 3 out; outpcd app last, 3rd of 4, 6 3/4l behind Scrum V (12-0) at Heslaker 3m gd in May.
Beggars Cross (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, ridden and weakening when mistake 3 out, 11th of 17, dist behind Wade Harper (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Double W's (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, left 2nd last, 2nd of 6, 12l behind I'dliketheoption (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Exactly What 66-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, effort before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Chase End Charlie (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Just Georgie 11-4 (10-12) Tracked clear leader, close up 5th, outpaced in 3rd after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take 2nd before last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Barney Dwan (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Just Like Dylan (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Pulled hard tracking leader, weakened 4 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Always Resolute (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Mr Witmore (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) With leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Myztique (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Anna Grey Fair Mix M out of Little Flora.
Pretty Miss Mahler (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Towards rear on outside, headway 4th, tracked leaders 6th, ridden between last 2, close up in 5th when fell last, at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Sybil Grey 200-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd early, soon in rear and struggling, tailed off from before 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Point The Way (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Loch Linnhe 8-1 (10-7) Soon outpaced in rear, ridden and late headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 11 1/4l behind Tomngerry (11-12) at Catterick 2m (6) sft in Jan.
