CHELTENHAM 15:35 1e5c2e

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 12. Race Distance Adjustment: +100 yds

Time: 6m 6.6s Closing Sectional: (4.2f): 60.8s (103.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 111%, Betfair SP 99.9%

A Cleeve Hurdle featuring most of the best of the British-trained staying hurdlers, the Long Walk winner Crambo the obvious exception, though that form was well represented, that the placed runners from that were beaten by a chaser, albeit one favoured by the weights, not saying a lot for the home team when it comes to a meeting with the best of the Irish in March; the race was another muddling one, the field well grouped before the tempo lifted at the top of the hill, 3 lengths covering the first 5 home.

NOBLE YEATS (IRE) was well backed and found quite a bit of improvement to land this valuable prize on just his third start over hurdles, a crack at the Stayers' Hurdle clearly a tempting option after this before he heads back to Aintree; never far away, disputed lead ninth, not quicken after 2 out, rallied to lead final 1f, ridden out.

PAISLEY PARK (IRE) came up just short in his second bid for a race four-timer, again going with more zest than usual but just caught out when the tempo finally lifted; waited with, travelled well, not quicken after 3 out, rallied well run-in, went second final 100 yds and closed down winner all the way to line; there won't be many more like him.

STRONG LEADER raised his game upped markedly in trip and in first-time cheekpieces, caught around the outer and not jumping well yet seeing things out thoroughly; held up, jumped none too fluently, shaken up after 3 out, outpaced, rallied well last, stayed on.

DASHEL DRASHER ran respectably, though an even better effort looked on the cards at the last, 2 lengths up there but unable to find the extra required to see off the principals, another of these who will look a hopeful participant in the Stayers', in which he ran so well last season; led until ninth, ridden after, led again after 3 out, clear briefly last, headed final 1f, one paced.

CHAMP (IRE) ran to a similar level as on his return, his lack of pace rather shown up by the way the race developed, enough in his efforts this season to justify a run in the Stayers', even if winning it seems a stretch; took keen hold, tracked pace from fourth, shaken up after 3 out, chased leader approaching last, one paced.

BOTOX HAS (FR) ran respectably again at this level, in a visor instead of cheekpieces this time; pressed leader, went on ninth, bad mistake next, headed, ridden after, not quicken before last, faded late on.

FLIGHT DECK (IRE) had seemed to have been sweetened up by a change of yard but was back to his old unreliable self, needing cajoling along from an early stage and soon left toiling when the tempo lifted; in touch, raced indolently, close up eighth, left behind 2 out.