CHELTENHAM 15:30

All 18 ran. Hurdles: 12.

Time: 5m 52.8s Closing Sectional: (3.7f): 55.6s (97.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 100.7%

This season's Stayers' saw the biggest field assembled in the race since its second running in its alter-ego as the World Hurdle in 2006, the increase in representation perhaps an apparent reflection - and an entirely wrong one as it turned out - of a perceived lack of a star in the division, with any number of a largely rag-tag bunch either recent converts from chasing, overmatched handicappers or uncertain stayers; the pace steadied briefly over a circuit out but that was just about the only let-up in a punishing race that tested all the attributes that should be at a premium in the leading staying hurdle prize in the calendar, the examination drawing top-class efforts - despite the negatives to the depth of the race as a whole - from a comparatively youthful, strong-staying front pair comprised of a runner-up who'd threatened to carry all before him in the division last season and the one who very much has this time around.

PAISLEY PARK (IRE) has gone from a coming force to a potentially imperious figure in the division for years to come, capping an unblemished season of irresistible progress in perfect - and now-trademark - fashion, yet to quite reach the exalted levels of, say, Baracouda or Big Buck's but bearing more than a passing resemblance to the latter in particular, the sequence of his extraordinary surge to the front - having turned in around 7 lengths down with as many rivals ahead of him - and subsequent recovery from a blunder at the last so stunning it ought to become a mainstay of any Festival highlights reel, no less stirring visually than such as the 1989 Gold Cup or the 2000 Champion Chase, freakish brilliance from a mere 7-y-o who'll surely add his name to the list of multiple winners of a race with an abundance of memorable renewals this century alone - even this needn't prove his limit.

SAM SPINNER ran into a rival doing what many expected of Sam Spinner in this 12 months earlier but fully restored his status as a top-class stayer in defeat all the same, given the sort of ride that brings out the best in him and, almost as crucially, keeping mistakes to a minimum; content to chase Nautical Nitwit early, he put his foot down to edge ahead 5 out, rallied splendidly to see off Faugheen's challenge from the second last and didn't give in even after Paisley Park had overwhelmed him running to the last, briefly given a second chance by the winner's error there but unable to take advantage, losing nothing in defeat.

FAUGHEEN (IRE) added a Stayers' Hurdle placing to a Festival record already featuring wins at 21f (Baring Bingham) and 2m (Champion Hurdle), not the brilliant force of old but still a high-class hurdler whose career has received a new lease of life since attentions have been turned to longer distances, briefly looking to be going best here as he loomed up 2 out but not failing for stamina, reclaiming third from his connections' other representative inside the final 100 yards, a pair of 4-year younger rivals gone by then.

BAPAUME (FR) would probably have emerged first in the battle of the Mullins/Ricci pair had his run from rear started sooner but, either way, came out of his toughest test yet with his reputation enhanced, not looking at all out of place at the level and with time on his side to remain a firm fixture on the staying scene; dropped out, he still had the majority ahead of him before 2 out but had made enough headway in the straight to see him dispute third from the last, cracking only late on as the big move told.

WHOLESTONE (IRE) put a rare Cheltenham dud behind him 7 weeks on whilst underlining his vulnerability in such lofty company; mid-field, went prominent approaching 2 out, pushed along end of back straight, left behind straight.

BACARDYS (FR) still has plenty to offer despite his chequered record, not ridden to best advantage switched from chasing for this after a break (11 weeks) for the second year in a row, back with the rags while still going well 2 out and doing all he could in the straight, passing a good few and finishing with running left; perhaps he can have something to show from a visit to Punchestown, having won there as a novice and arrived on the back of a fall in this when bombing out last year.

SUPASUNDAE edged out by Penhill in a sprint finish to this 12 months earlier, seemed to fail badly for stamina in a far more exacting renewal, though he was fitted with a tongue tie for the first time, either way capitulating so spectacularly he couldn't be entertained if turning up at Aintree or Punchestown (never mind both, as campaigned in 2017/18); mid-field, shaken up before 2 out, effort home turn, third early in straight, stopped quickly, had a hard race.

THE MIGHTY DON (IRE) without the headgear worn in the Cleeve, ran better than then but only as well as entitled to, his development having hit a wall since his sights were raised; raced off the pace, mistake fourth, shaken up before 2 out, carried head bit awkwardly straight, made little impression.

WEST APPROACH couldn't maintain his run of getting closest to Paisley Park, the signs of a below-par display clear a fair way out; mid-field, lost ground back straight, rallied briefly end of back straight, effort flattened out.

KEEPER HILL (IRE) was out of his depth; mid-division, lost ground before 5 out, no chance 2 out, merely plugged on.

KILBRICKEN STORM (IRE) yet another good-quality Tizzard-trained novice chaser switched back to hurdling in recent times, gave cause for encouragement for a long way in his bid for back-to-back Festival successes before disappointing off the bridle, closing in 2 out only to hang left and falter once ridden approaching the straight, perhaps still ailed by something following his problem at Newbury when last seen pre-Christmas.

BLACK OP (IRE) shaped similarly to in the Cleeve, unsuited by the emphasis on stamina; mid-division, mid-race mistakes, driven approaching straight, weakened; will benefit from return to shorter than 3m.

YANWORTH at least shaped a bit better than first time back tried in blinkers; held up, early mistakes, no chance 2 out but at no stage unduly punished; next run should reveal even more.

PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR) didn't get home over the vastly longer trip; patiently ridden, not settle fully, out wide, some headway between 3 out and 2 out, dropped away before straight.

TOP NOTCH (FR) was surely in the wrong Festival race but ran poorly all the same 9 weeks on from his Kempton chase win, no response as he came under pressure after 2 out.

MAN OF PLENTY needed more than first-time blinkers to figure at this level, predictably never landing a blow.

COQUIN MANS (FR) was well behind almost throughout.

NAUTICAL NITWIT (IRE) was out of his depth after 10 weeks off and an overly-aggressive ride merely compounded matters; forced pace, closed down seventh, headed next, dropped away from 3 out.