CATTERICK BRIDGE 13:15

All 5 ran. Fences: 19.

Time: 6m 31s Closing Sectional: (3.1f): 49.7s (96.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 108%, Betfair SP 101.5%

With Warriors Tale and Seldom Inn disappointing badly, this took less winning that it looked likely to, but it was hard not to be impressed by the manner in which Hester Flemen went about it from the front, making all at a sound pace.

HESTER FLEMEN (IRE) showed useful form when winning both a bumper and novice hurdle for Donald McCain but is every inch a chaser on looks and, having switched yards since last seen 12 months ago, made a successful switch to fences to maintain her unbeaten record under Rules, creating a most favourable impression with how she went about it; made all, jumped impeccably and went with enthusiasm, drew clear 2 out, shaken up last, impressive; this was a flawless start to life over fences and there's surely bigger and better things to come.

RACING EUROPE (IRE) had disappointed on his chasing debut 8 weeks earlier but clearly just wasn't right that day and ran to a useful level this time; chased leader, mistake seventh (jumped fine otherwise), driven 4 out, kept on, albeit no match for winner.

SELDOM INN was well below form and will have to jump a lot better before he's a safe betting proposition in this sphere; raced off the pace, jumped none too fluently, lost touch fourteenth, never on terms.

CENTRAL FLAME a progressive hurdler in the spring, was probably badly in need of the run after 8 months off; dropped out, tailed off from fourth, pulled up before twelfth.

WARRIORS TALE clearly wasn't 100% on the day, going out quite tamely, and connections reported afterwards that he scoped dirty post race (all 3 of the yard's runners on this card underperformed); in touch, not always fluent, travelled better than most, ridden when hit 3 out, folded, pulled up approaching last; well worth another chance.