This longer-distanced novice has tended to take slightly less winning than its 2m counterpart on the first day, the Supreme, but featured potentially one of its best winners in recent times in Impaire Et Passe, who showed a fine turn of foot at the end of a race run at just a fair pace, his final-3f finishing speed up at 105.5% while those behind the fourth home were all significantly below 100.0%. The bare form looks fairly easy to evaluate, with second to fourth all bringing very useful novice form to the table, the total eclipse of Hermes Allen the only real puzzle.
IMPAIRE ET PASSE (h161+2 here, 152+ previously) looks a fine prospect, probably an even better one than the winner of the Supreme the day before, Marine Nationale, and a return to 2m is unlikely to be a problem for himgiven ground softer than good (as this was). He tracked the pace going well, led 2 out and quickened clear, adjusting right at the last and briefly ridden, continuing to respond really well.
GAELIC WARRIOR (h153 here, 155 previously) ran creditably and had no apparent excuses, tracking the pace and mostly jumping OK, making an effort 2 out and briefly short of room, soon ridden and edging right but keeping on. He is among the best novice hurdlers around but lacks the potential of a few of the others now.
CHAMP KIELY (h152 here and previously) ran at least as well as previously despite showing a tendency to hang right, leading/disputing the lead until 2 out then one paced. He looks the sort to jump a fence.
GOOD LAND (h147 here, 146 previously) had won quite a weak Grade 1 the time before and ran at least as well here, impressing with how well he travelled tracking the pace, and with every chance 2 out, then one paced. He could be worth a try at 2m at some point, though connections have an even better one at that trip in Marine Nationale.
MARBLE SANDS (h136 here and previously) acquitted himself with credit but is not up to this level at this stage, towards the rear and not settling fully, making an effort 3 out but soon one paced.
HERMES ALLEN (h136 here, 154 previously) came in for plenty of support but failed to run his race, his defeat of You Wear It Well in the Challow at Newbury good enough to get him placed here. He raced prominently and led briefly 4 out but found disappointingly little from the second-last.
AMERICAN MIKE (h135 here, 142 previously) ran no more than respectably and has not gone on as might have been expected since second in the Champion Bumper at this meeting 12 months before, close up and a bit free until outpaced from approaching the second-last.
MASTER CHEWY (h124 here and previously)
HO MY LORD (h121 here, 131+ previously)
PERSIAN TIME (h0 here, 128 previously)
