Expert Analysis

After winning on a soft surface at Newbury last time out, Impose Toi proved his versatility by continuing his winning run on this much faster ground. The winner and the third horse to finish are now trading as the third and fourth favourites for the Stayers' Hurdle which looks about right in what remains a particularly weak division.

IMPOSE TOI He does appear to be improving with each run as this was a much smoother victory compared with his Newbury triumph over the same runner up despite competing on much worse terms. He seems to handle all sorts of conditions and one cannot fault his desire to win. At this moment in time, he looks destined for a first four finish at worst in the Stayers' Hurdle.

STRONG LEADER Despite his trainers concerns with going this way round he seemed to jump straight and true throughout. If we use him as the marker then the winner may well have improved since Newbury in late November. The Liverpool Hurdle will be his number one target again and it would be a surprise were they to use the Cleeve Hurdle as a prep run for the third year in a row given his clear unsuitability to Cheltenham.

HONESTY POLICY The front two horses had race fitness on their sides compared with this seasonal debutant. Maybe this was one reason why he did not appear to be as hard ridden as the winner from two out to the line. I would prefer to remain open minded as to which of Impose Toi and Honesty Policy would come out on top on another day. He was keen enough in the early part of the race but stayed on strongly in the closing stages without being driven out. He looked like a real stayer here so I would have few doubts regarding his stamina for the Stayers' Hurdle in March.

POTTERS CHARM He lost significant ground on the winner from two out to the line after the pair jumped that hurdle alongside each other. If we judged him solely on this performance we would conclude that he clearly failed to see out the trip. This notion is supported by the way Doddiethegreat also made up several lengths on him in the closing stages.

DODDIETHEGREAT Presumably the plan was to have him finish off his race more strongly here. He was ridden with much more restraint and patience compared with his first two runs of the season. He made up a lot of ground from two out on the probable non-stayer Potters Charm and only lost around two or three lengths on Impose Toi from early in the home straight to the winning post. Hopefully we will see plenty of improvement in him once he is able to compete on good ground in the spring time.

ALTOBELLI I doubt the hurdle track was as testing as the official description of good to soft suggested. They raced on fresh ground over the smaller obstacles on Saturday which is why most of the runners congregated towards the inside rail. I will prefer him on good ground over an intermediate trip until he shows something different.

CRAMBO After racing towards the outside of the pack, he lost his position well before the turn for home and was never able to look threatening.

COLONEL MUSTARD He dropped out of contention early in the home straight and never got competitive. He is yet to prove he can stay this sort of trip; particularly at this level.

BEAUPORT I am not sure what happened as he either suffered a physical problem or simply downed tools quickly after being headed by Strong Leader before the fourth last hurdle.