Verdict

RED JADE made a winning start over timber at Southwell last month. Twice a winner in soft ground on the Flat, Alexander Voy's claim cancels out most of a penalty and he's just preferred to Crackentorp. Tim Easterby's charge also made a winning debut over hurdles at Market Rasen and he should be in the firing-line once again along with Amtired, who landed a maiden hurdle over C&D in October. Others to note include War Poet, who showed improved form at Doncaster last month and bumper winner Swaledale Lad, who makes his hurdling bow here.

Formwatch

Amtired 8-11fav (11-0) Held up in touch, smooth headway and jumped right 2 out, led before and jumped right last, quickened run-in, won at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct beating A Patchy Dancer (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.

Crackentorp 6-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, every chance 3 out, led before next, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Hawk Mountain (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.

Red Jade 6-4fav (11-0) Jumped well disputing close 3rd on inside, effort to join leaders after 3 out, led 2 out, soon quickened clear, easily, won at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Loden (11-0) by 11l, 9 ran.

Aussie Blue (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Prominent, lost place over 1f out, last of 12, 18l behind Zafeen's Pearl (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (flat).

Embsay Crag 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up behind, outpaced after 3 out, kept on on stands side rail flat, never reached leaders, 7th of 13, 16l behind Eurohunter (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.

Hail Tiberius 7-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in rear, headway 4th, chased leading pair 4 out, outpaced after next, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 33l behind Diamond D'amour (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.

Herostatus 14-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, under pressure3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Crackentorp (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.

Koo And The Gang (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Kealigolane (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.

Lowry Maher (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, well behind Minsky Mine (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gs.

Magic Cat 25-1 (10-9) Held up in touch and keen, headway before 4th, pecked and hampered when held in 5th, unseated rider last, in a race won by Ingleby Spirit (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs, 14 ran.

Money Bridge 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway on inner to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 31l behind Gogeo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.

Muwalla 20-1 (11-0) Jumped right and bumped 1st, chased leaders, weakened after 9th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Allow Me (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.

Saga de Tercey (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders under pressure on inside approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, never on terms, 7th of 15, 24l behind Hayjack (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.

Swaledale Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 8l behind I Shot The Sheriff (11-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.

War Poet 11-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Gogeo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.

Noble Attitude 40-1 (8-4) Keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 12l behind Marino Prince (8-6) at Ayr 1m 1f app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in May (flat).

Panashka (IRE) 200-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, reminders after 3rd, slow 5th, soon struggling, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Crackentorp (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.