CHELTENHAM 15:05

All 10 ran. Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 55.5s Closing Sectional: (3.9f): 55.5s (100.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 99.4%

A vintage winning performance in the blue riband of hurdling, even if the cupboard in the division continues to be pretty bare, Honeysuckle's route to victory eased by her main market rivals not being at their best, though they would have struggled to land a blow even if they had been, her performance above average for the race since the days of Hurricane Fly at least, fair to say that the sex allowance enhanced her margin of victory rather than made a difference to the outcome, though a third successful mare in the race in the last 6 runnings may raise the question of that allowance - brought in just in time for Dawn Run - though removing it would surely have the effect of driving the top mares towards the David Nicholson, which is not for the overall good, surely; the race was run at a sound pace and the form looks very straightforward to interpret.

HONEYSUCKLE maintained her unbeaten record in taking the biggest hurdling prize of all, scoring in most decisive fashion and running to a level that would have made her hard to beat (with the sex allowance) in the majority of recent runnings of the race, those that supported her down to such a short price scarcely having a moment's worry, sound jumping and a good turn of foot, hallmarks of so many winners of this race, very much in evidence; in touch, took keen hold, smooth headway before 3 out, quickened to lead soon after 2 out, in command before last, kept on well, impressive; she's now won 11 from 11 and has yet to look in serious trouble in a race, to say that she'll continue to be very hard to beat no more than stating the obvious.

SHARJAH (FR) was quickly back to form, at least as good as ever in taking second for the second year running, well served by the way the race was run; held up, travelled well, headway after 3 out, chased leader approaching last, stayed on, no match for winner.

EPATANTE (FR) had been treated for a back problem since her defeat at Kempton, but there wasn't the same confidence behind her in the market as there had been a year earlier and she wasn't in the same form that had seen her win so well then, though even if she had been she would have been up against it with the winner; patiently ridden, effort approaching 2 out, not quicken home turn, plugged on run-in; connections may be tempted by a rematch with the winner at Punchestown, though a try over further at Aintree would be an alternative.

ASPIRE TOWER (IRE) ran well at the meeting for a second time, having his chance and needing no excuses; handy, went second fourth, led briefly 2 out, jumped left there, left behind by winner entering straight, one paced last.

NOT SO SLEEPY ran about as well as could have been expected back up in grade, not asked to lead for once; prominent, not settle fully, ridden 3 out, lost place soon after, kept on again last; he's not going to be easy to place over hurdles, so perhaps the Chester Cup might be an option, back on the Flat.

SILVER STREAK (IRE) was below form, slightly surprising that tactics which suited the circumstances at Kempton were repeated in a race where they seemed less likely to pay off, the early effort telling against him in the latter stages; led, shaken up 3 out, headed when hampered next, no extra approaching last.

SALDIER (FR) took a step forward from a low base, though without looking remotely competitive; dropped out, hampered third, mistake fourth, pushed along after fifth, plugged on straight, never on terms.

GOSHEN (FR) was a major disappointment, ironically the fears about his going left handed that failed to materialise when they were the main talking point before last season's Triumph, turning up unwelcome after they'd been forgotten about this time around; prominent, hung badly right from third, weakened after 3 out; he's going to have limited options at 2m if he needs to go right handed over hurdles - Punchestown this spring - and it may be that novice chasing is an option next season.

JAMES DU BERLAIS (FR) a smart 4-y-o hurdler for Robert Collet last year, runner-up in a Group 1 at Auteuil in November, hadn't been able to have a prep run for his new yard and finished well held, thrown in at the deep end; in touch, ridden 3 out, lost place soon after; it's early days with him, so far as his new trainer is concerned.

ABACADABRAS (FR) who'd given Shishkin a race in the Supreme last season, seemed likely to be suited by the run of the race, but didn't get the chance to show what he could do; held up, fell third.