Usually the easiest of the three novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival to win, as judged by ratings, and that is the case again this year, The Nice Guy inferior on paper to Sir Gerhard and a long way inferior to Constitution Hill, though it still took a very useful effort from him to prevail in a well-run race in which the finishing speed was a close-to-par 102%.
THE NICE GUY (h152 here, 138+ previously) left his previous form behind with a very useful staying performance in a race that fell apart somewhat, making a couple of mistakes before coming from mid-field to lead at the last, ridden clear. Recent winners of this race have included Minella Indo and Monkfish, but The Nice Guy still has something to prove to be considered in that bracket.
MINELLA COCOONER (h147 here and previously) confirmed himself very useful under another attacking ride, always close up, leading shortly before a mistake and stumble at the eighth, and drawing on with the winner from approaching the last. A son of Flemensfirth, he looks a decent prospect for novice chases next term.
BARDENSTOWN LAD (h143 here, 140 previously) ran well faced with this stiffer task, in mid-field before losing his place mid-race then staying on.
BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE (h140 here, 136 previously) looked a thorough stayer in making late gains from the rear. This was just his third run over hurdles and there could be better still to come.
GREEN BOOK (h135 here, 137 previously) was close to form but may struggle at this elevated level, keeping on having been set a fair bit to do. He was later treated for ataxia (balance impairment) and was reported to have lost both his hind shoes.
RAMILLIES (h133 here and previously) ran creditably despite seeming to be taxed by a well-run 3m, less than fluent but coming from mid-field to be third briefly between the last 2. He could be a decent sort for handicaps and/or novice chases if jumping better.
MAHLER MISSION (h131 here, 134 previously) found this much more demanding and ran close to form despite never looking much better than his position.
BRORSON (h127 here, 130 previously) continues to run creditably, close up for a long way. He was treated for post-race ataxia (see Green Book).
GOOD TIME JONNY (h112 here, 140 previously) only briefly looked as if he might get into it, well below his useful handicap form.
SHANTREUSSE (h103 here, 134 previously) had more to find than implied by his odds, close up until weakening after 2 out.
ERIC BLOODAXE (h0 here, 140 previously) ran badly for the second start in a row.
CLASSIC GETAWAY (h0 here, 134 previously) was reported to have bled.
HILLCREST (h0 here, 152 previously) had strong claims on paper but never went a yard, jumping clumsily and soon niggled along, in rear when pulled up before 3 out. A strapping individual, he should do well over fences, assuming whatever ailed him here was a one-off.
STAG HORN (h0 here, 136 previously) had more on his plate here but should have fared better (fourth in a Group race on the flat, which suggests a rating of 136 may not be his limit over hurdles).
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (h0 here, 128 previously) made mistakes and ran poorly.
