Expert Analysis

A race won by Buveur d’Air (running to a rating of 159) in 2016 and by other good hurdlers on occasion over the years, but this looked substandard beforehand as well as after the event, with one of the joint favourites under-performing and the sole four-year-old unseating. What it did represent was a good test at the trip, the ground still “good to soft” (as the official) on times and this run at a searching gallop and resulting in a slow 96.1% finishing speed, and the best horse on the day prevailed.

BELFAST BANTER (146 here, 135 previously) ran even better than he had in winning the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (not the shock it was portrayed to be given his earlier form) though will be fortunate to find another Grade 1 as weak as this. He was held up and went well, suited by the good pace again and leading approaching the last, possibly in front plenty soon enough but responding to strong pressure on the flat. A well-run 2 miles seems to suit him.

DO YOUR JOB (144 here, 139 previously) ran into one when swept aside by My Drogo at Kelso but probably ran a bit better in filling the same berth in this, helped by the strong pace at this slightly shorter trip, mid-field, making a mistake 3 out but having every chance until the winner pulled out more close home. He looks a likely sort for novice chases next term, his trainer not averse to traveling far and wide for a good opportunity, Do You Job himself already a winner at Ffos Las and Ayr.

DUSART (143 here, 127 previously) had beaten Soaring Glory at Newbury on his only previous start, but with an ordinary rival not beaten far, and was not quite up to the big step up in grade at this stage, nonetheless likely to be the best of these a bit further down the line. He looked green in the first half of the race with the pace strong but warmed to his task, disputing the lead briefly 2 out, not fluent at the last but keeping on. A half-brother by Flemensfirth to Simonsig and Drumcliff, he will be suited by 20f, maybe more, and very much looks the sort to jump fences. 

THIRD TIME LUCKI (126 here, 145 previously) looked to have a good chance in a substandard race (besides anything else, a stone better off with Belfast Banter for about 3 lengths at Cheltenham, where he had gone for home a long way out) but was not in the same form, tracking the pace going comfortably but gradually off the bit in the home straight before weakening markedly on the run-in. He has had quite a busy time in his first season as a hurdler. 

FOR PLEASURE (119 here, 141 previously) set a strong pace, as he tends to, until capitulating 2 out. 

AJERO (98 here, 139 previously) failed to run his race, though close until after 3 out. 

HOUX GRIS (128 previously) sadly suffered a fatal injury. 

ANY NEWS (139 previously) was in trouble a long way out and not himself.