ASCOT 14:25

All 11 ran. Hurdles: 12. Race Distance Adjustment: +74 yds

Time: 6m 4.4s Closing Sectional: (4.95f): 73.1s (99.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 100.6%

One of the principal staying hurdles of the whole season, a race with a stellar roll of honour, a competitive field this time around including the last 2 winners as well as the Cleeve Hurdle winner from last season, a top-class chaser in Top Notch and several up-and-coming sorts, though the race didn't quite come up to the sum of its parts, the previous winners failing to complete and the other pair at the head of the market failing to give their running for differing reasons; that said, Paisley Park was a representative scorer, still very much on the up and relishing the thorough test of stamina, his victory a first at Grade 1 level for both his trainer and rider.

PAISLEY PARK (IRE) continues on an upward curve, taking the rise in class in his stride and travelling more smoothly back on soft going; held up, travelled well, good progress 2 out, led last, kept on well, ridden out; he will continue to progress for a while yet, with the Cleeve, even under a penalty, a race in which he'd be seen to good effect.

WEST APPROACH back over hurdles for the first time since the 2017 Sefton, seemed to excel himself, the way he travelled through the race in marked contrast to some of his recent efforts over fences; mid-division, tanked along, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on; remains to be seen if he can repeat this.

TOP NOTCH (FR) a top-class chaser, tends to need his first outing of the season, but he ran his best race over hurdles after 8 months off this time, showing himself effective beyond 3m as well, opening further options for when he goes back over fences; waited with, headway before 3 out, every chance approaching last, not quicken.

THE MIGHTY DON (IRE) has acquitted himself well in 2 starts at pattern level this winter, fully confirming the improvement shown at Newbury, though he's probably not going to be easy to place to win a race; held up, mistake first, effort straight, no extra last, never landed a blow.

SOUL EMOTION (FR) upped in trip after 8 months off, shaped most encouragingly up in grade but, unfortunately, collapsed after the race, the condition serious enough to suggest he might not be able to race again; in touch, not settle fully, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra approaching last.

GARO DE JUILLEY (FR) upped in trip, seemed to excel himself in much better company, given full credit for now, his new yard clearly getting more out of him than his previous one; dropped out, effort straight, chased leaders 2 out, held when not fluent last, no extra.

CALL ME LORD (FR) was below form over a longer trip after 8 months off, little going right, hampered twice and probably on the worst ground, taken around the inside, though lack of stamina might have been a factor (already stays a fair bit further than expected on pedigree); held up, travelled well, badly hampered eighth, effort when hampered again 2 out, weakened; he's got some strong form to his name, though the need to race right handed makes him difficult to place over hurdles, just the Kingwell and the Select left for him at pattern level in Britain this season, and a switch to fences may well be a more rewarding option.

YOUNEVERCALL (IRE) was well held in a first-time tongue strap, possibly stretched by the trip as well as the company; not settle fully, left second second, every chance 3 out, ridden soon after, hung right straight, weakened after 2 out.

AGRAPART (FR) had conditions which ought to have suited him down to the ground, but he was well held, doing too much in front after being left with the lead early on; left in front second, well clear next, mistake ninth, ridden after, headed next, weakened straight; he hasn't been seen to advantage this winter, but a return to Cheltenham next month could well revive him.

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY didn't get far enough to see if he could build on his Newbury success; prominent, fell eighth.

SAM SPINNER had been so impressive when a gutsy winner of this last season, but little has gone right since and a further mishap in first-time cheekpieces left plenty of questions to be answered for all that his rider reported problems with the low sun; led, jumped awkwardly first, tried to refuse and unseated rider second.