CHELTENHAM 14:55

Non Runners: PLAYFUL SAINT (FR), CASTEL GANDOLFO (IRE), CURRENT MOOD. Hurdles: 5. Race Distance Adjustment: +11 yds

Time: 3m 55.3s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 58.2s (100.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 104.4%

What should have been two flights in the home straight was omitted due to the low trajectory of the sun

The omission of the hurdles in the straight tainted the spectacle slightly but the winner put up on the of the best performances in the Greatwood in recent years, kicking clear with the favourite from the home turn then putting distance between himself and that rival in the final 1f.

I LIKE TO MOVE IT made a sparkling return from 8 months off, putting a disappointing final run of his novice campaign firmly behind him, and is entitled to have his sights set on the Champion Hurdle at this stage, likely to take plenty of beating in the International Hurdle back here next month; disputed lead, not fluent first, went on soon after second, joined briefly 2 out (usual 3 out), asserted final 1f, stayed on well.

GIN COCO (FR) was backed into favouritism and ran even better than when second in a big field at Punchestown on his first foray into handicaps, pulling well clear of the rest behind a very smart rival at the top of his game; patiently ridden, smooth headway before home turn, not quicken final 1f.

HARBOUR LAKE (IRE) wasn't at all disgraced back down in trip, just lacking the speed to stay competitive in the latter stages; chased leaders, close up 2 out (usual 3 out), outpaced before home turn, kept on again.

FIRST IMPRESSION (IRE) a winner on the Flat since last seen over jumps, never landed a blow but shaped as if worth a try beyond 2m; waited with, effort when not fluent 2 (usual 3 out) out, kept on.

NINA THE TERRIER (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, losing a couple of places in the dying strides after having a brief go at the winner; chased leaders, challenged 2 out (usual 3 out), third when passing last, no extra.

CORMIER (IRE) successful on the Flat since last seen over jumps, wasn't disgraced after 8 weeks off but is high enough in the weights following a couple of wins last season; mid-division, shaken up before home turn, fourth when passing last, no extra.

MARK OF GOLD was well held in a stronger race; raced off the pace, headway when switched before last (usual 2 out), no further impression.

SONIGINO (FR) found this too much of an ask, having gone up a total of a stone for a brace of wins when bossing smaller fields at Chepstow; disputed lead early, lost place before 2 out, no chance after.

DADS LAD (IRE) was running off a lower mark than last time but merely confirmed himself a much better chaser than hurdler, his jumping nowhere near slick enough; off pace, struggling when slow 2 out, jumped badly left last (usual 3 out and 2 out), never landed a blow.

SEVERANCE is best forgiven this run, always on the back foot after a race-ending early blunder; waited with, lost place when bad mistake first, made no impression.

A DIFFERENT KIND (IRE) went backwards from his reappearance but the step back in trip was probably against him; chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon beaten.

N'GOLO (IRE) ran poorly 6 months on from his Swinton win; chased leaders, lost place before second, soon done with.

THOUSAND TEARS (IRE) representing connections that landed a touch in the 2020 renewal, took a notable walk in the market and ran no sort of race with a hood refitted on his first start over hurdles since leaving John Michael Burke; chased leaders, lost place after first, behind when mistake second, pulled up soon after.