CHELTENHAM 15:00

All 10 ran. Hurdles: 5. Race Distance Adjustment: +63 yds

Time: 4m 9.1s Closing Sectional: (4.3f): 61.3s (102.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 100.5%

What should havve been all flight in the home straight were omitted due to the low trajectory of the sun

A race which revolved around Goshen, returning to hurdling for the first time since his mishap in the Triumph; he was amiss, suffering a fibrillating heart, and that left a bunch of smart hurdlers to fight out the finish of a race spoilt by the omission of the 2 hurdles in the straight due to the low sun, leaving a long run to the first and another, one of 4.3f, after the last; the form makes sense on paper but it isn't really likely to be entirely reliable, the winner, for all his excellent qualities, making limited appeal as a potential Champion Hurdle winner, unlikely to break the sequence stretching back to Rooster Booster in 2002, the last winner of the race then known as the Bula to go on to victory here in March.

SONG FOR SOMEONE (GER) confirmed the improvement shown at Ascot, though this was an unsatisfactory race in a different way, yet given how well he jumps the omitted hurdles ought to have been against him; prominent, shaken up last, led over 1f out, ridden after, just held on; he's very smart and has admirable qualities, but he'll need to reach another level to be regarded as a strong Champion Hurdle candidate.

SILVER STREAK (IRE) was soon back on track after his misfortune in the Fighting Fifth, running up to his best and unlucky not to go one better; in touch, close up from 2 out, shaken up straight, not clear run under 2f out, rallied well final 100 yds, just failed; he'll presumbly go for the Christmas Hurdle, second last season, though no match for Epatante then.

BALLYANDY really is a splendid racehorse, even if he finds winning hard, running another really solid race and placed in this for the second year running; disputed lead, not fluent first, shaken up after last, every chance 1f out, not quicken well inside final 1f.

SCEAU ROYAL (FR) ran to a similar level as last time though, having been last off the bridle, it was slightly disappointing that he didn't do even better; held up, travelled well, headway last, going best and every chance under 2f out, ridden soon after, not quicken.

SUMMERVILLE BOY (IRE) hadn't run at 2m over hurdles since the 2019 Punchestown Champion Hurdle and, though he ran close to form, didn't have the required pace late on; soon led, not fluent third, shaken up after last, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final 1f; he's entered in the Long Walk at Ascot, which might have seemed a more obvious step after his last run.

CH'TIBELLO (FR) ran close to the level he showed when third in this race last season, typically travelling smoothly for a long way, but less strong in the finish than several others; held up, travelled well, shaken up 2f out, not quicken over 1f out; he's not won since the 2019 County Hurdle, his last run in a handicap, and perhaps a return to that grade might be a better option than continuing at graded level.

CALL ME LORD (FR) won this race last season, another rather muddling affair, but was under a penalty this time around and essentially not good enough; held up, shaken up last, not quicken after 2f out.

VERDANA BLUE (IRE) shaped a lot better than the distances indicate, likely that the holding ground told against her, typically going smoothly for a long way and her rider soon allowing her to come home in her own time once she came off the bridle; held up, travelled well, headway after last, shaken up under 2f out, no extra soon after, eased inside final 1f, not given at all a hard time.

STORMY IRELAND (FR) back over hurdles, was well held, though dropping right away only passing the usual last flight; held up, effort after last, not quicken straight, left behind over 1f out; she'd be better off back against her own sex.

GOSHEN (FR) beaten twice at short odds on the Flat since his mishap in the Triumph, looked in good shape for his return, after missing engagements at Wincanton and Ascot last month, but he was amiss, reportedly suffering from a fibrillating heart, though he didn't race very kindly either, an attempt to ride him with more restraint not really working; tracked pace, refused to settle, disputed lead after third, ridden before last, folded tamely entering straight; he clearly has questions to answer, but at least there was an excuse for his run, and he remains the most plausible of this field as a potential Champion Hurdle winner.