ASCOT 14:25

All 10 ran. Hurdles: 12.

Time: 6m 6.6s Closing Sectional: (4.95f): 70.5s (105.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 102.7%

A dismal effort from the favourite Strong Leader left this wide open, and it proved quite tactical as well, Beauport getting a soft lead, the winner well positioned behind him and others less well positioned, that the first 6 home were covered by just 4 lengths suggesting a relatively cautious view of the form.

CRAMBO ran to a similar level in following up his win in this race 12 months earlier, well positioned behind the leader, taking time to reel him in then hanging on as the runner-up closed; never far away, shaken up entering straight, stayed on to lead final 100 yds, all out to hold on; he failed to build on his win last season, nearer last than first in both Grade 1s in the spring, the ability there to make more impact than he did last spring.

HIDDENVALLEY LAKE (IRE) last seen finishing a good third to Strong Leader in the Liverpool Hurdle, again reached a place at Grade 1 level, and that despite the run of the race not really going his way, likely that he'd have got up in another stride or 2; waited with, not fluent sixth, effort after 3 out, not quicken, kept on well run-in, just failed.

BEAUPORT (IRE) ran a fine race on his first start over hurdles since the 2021/22 season, even if he was given plenty of rope; led, jumped well, clear halfway, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed final 100 yds, one paced.

THE WALLPARK (IRE) was unable to extend his winning run to 5 but ran well upped in class, despite seeming to find the run of the race against him; held up, pushed along before ninth, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on, nearest at the finish; he's likely to continue to give a good account when stamina is at a premium.

KATEIRA ran well upped in grade, though the way she moved into contention suggested she'd figure even more than she did, perhaps the trip just stretching her late on; held up, took keen hold, smooth headway home turn, ridden after 2 out, not quicken, mistake last, no extra.

BLUEKING D'OROUX (FR) ran well in this for the second time, though as last season he left the impression that he was stretched by the trip, likely to be at least as effective back over shorter; tracked pace, went with zest, shaken up straight, no extra after last.

EAGLE FANG (IRE) upped markedly in trip, had something to find in this company and ran about as well as could have been expected up in grade, more likely not good enough than failing through stamina; in touch, effort 3 out, chased leaders entering straight, weakened after 2 out.

BOTOX HAS (FR) back up in grade, isn't really good enough at this level, but he went backwards from his reappearance anyway, just not going with much zest; held up, pushed along after eighth, labouring after 3 out.

SHOOT FIRST (IRE) was below form, though he faced a stiff task in this grade and would have fared a fair bit better had he not clouted the second last; in touch, shaken up 3 out, held when bad mistake 2 out, weakened, eased off.

STRONG LEADER ran poorly, perhaps having been set back by his reappearance, though there was surely more to such a dismal effort than that; patiently ridden, not fluent first and eighth, shaken up after ninth, left behind 3 out, eased, tailed off.