HAYDOCK PARK 15:10

All 17 ran. Hurdles: 9. Race Distance Adjustment: +38 yds

Time: 3m 39.3s Closing Sectional: (3.85f): 55.3s (96.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 128%, Betfair SP 98.7%

This year's Swinton was shaped by the overly-positive ride on Sofia's Rock, who hung around until the last but eventually succumbed to a quartet from the pack, a group comprised of a better-than-ever pair and a couple who'd fallen plenty in the weights from their lofty peak, giving a feel of strength despite the muddling-looking finish, the fourth shaping especially well in attempting to come from last under speed-favouring conditions.

LE PATRIOTE (FR) completed the hat-trick on his biggest stage yet, testament once more to a trainer with few peers when it comes to sustained improvement, proving himself a smart hurdler faced with conditions he's seldom faced but played right to his strengths, speed his forte despite a 2½m win at Cheltenham coming in; he typically travelled well under a ride reminiscent of this jockey's winning effort on Al Dancer in the Betfair Hurdle, saving every yard on the inner in mid-field, quickening into things afrer an error 2 out and maintaining his burst to the front approaching the final 100 yds, always doing enough then for all the second/fourth were closing well; presumably Galway will come into consideration next, when a similar test ought to see him make his presence felt for all he'll likely be vulnerable for win purposes.

PROJECT BLUEBOOK (FR) stepped up markedly on his recent comeback, a welcome big step back in the right direction, albeit one suggesting 2½m (at least under these conditions) may indeed be his trip nowadays despite past experiments failing to yield much; held up, shaken up back straight, pushed along still 3 out, not quicken next, still no better than sixth crossing last but kept on well run-in, closing all the way to the line; he's back in the notebook now.

JOHN CONSTABLE (IRE) gambled on in the morning in a race he'd won from a 2 lb higher mark in 2017 (ran in it last year off 156!), showed the benefit of a breathing operation in the 4 months he'd been off, not recapturing his very smart best with his mark so heavily reduced but finally proving he still has plenty to offer; mid-division, smooth headway from 3 out, produced to lead on landing last, headed approaching final 100 yds, one paced; it's possible he paid somewhat for having one of the first cracks at reducing Sofia's Rock's lead, so an even bigger revival may well be on the cards for all this had presumably been the aim for some time.

FIESOLE is most progressive all of a sudden, to the extent that he may have well made light of a 12 lb hike for Plumpton under different circumstances, given an unnecessary mountain to climb under an exaggerated waiting ride; settled last, well off pace 4 out, still plenty to do (only thirteenth, behind even the stong-finishing runner-up) next, headway when not clear run before 2 out, not fluent last, closing when forced to switch again near finish, finishing with more to give; he's one to keep on the right side in good handicaps that place the emphasis on speed.

SOFIA'S ROCK (FR) was allowed to build a long lead but that's not to say he didn't overdo the front-running role, either way showing more than enough to believe he's got handicaps in him from an opening mark that also looks fair on Flat form; forced pace, jumped fluently, went with zest, pressed on fourth, clear still 3 out, reduced advantage when lost momentum last, headed on landing, no extra; he's a natural hurdler, one who's always going to be best when speed is at a premium.

DINO VELVET (FR) is going through a fine spell at the moment, asked bigger questions the last twice but acquitting himself with credit, if found wanting for finishing pace in this, trying hard all the same; held up, shaken up before home turn, effort from 2 out, stayed on.

MISTER FISHER (IRE) shaped perfectly encouragingly after 8 weeks off, his prevailing relative lack of big-field experience just counting against him; led main group, travelled smoothly, mistake fifth, effort from 2 out, not fluent again last, tied up final 100 yds; still a mere 5-y-o, there'll be lots to recommend him again for when he returns in the autumn, one to note for instance of having a crack at the Greatwood.

LEONCAVALLO (IRE) failed to build as required on his Ayr effort, running almost to the lb with Dino Velvet despite coming in for a more reserved ride than he had then, held even before his jumping became rather ragged (reportedly returned with only one shoe); mid-division, typically took strong hold, ridden from 3 out, untidy last 2, weakened run-in.

KINGOFTHECOTSWOLDS (IRE) remains in good form, unlike at Perth finding the test against him for the opposite reason; raced off the pace, outpaced before 3 out, struggling still next, ran on late, unsuited by the drop in trip; there's a strong air of untapped potential with him, 2½m the avenue to stick with for now.

THISTIMENEXTYEAR wasn't seen to best effect, better judged as such on his preceding Merseyside effort in a lower-quality handicap; raced well off the pace, still plenty to do home turn, effort - but looking set for no better than a mid-field finish anyway - when badly hampered between 3 out and 2 out, effort understandably flattened out then.

NIETZSCHE added to what has become a patchy record, sound efforts in big handicaps mixed in with lesser ones such as this; prominent main group, not fluent 3 out, ridden after, faded.

CHRISTOPHER WOOD (IRE) didn't have the chance the market suggested, underperformed; in touch out wide, lost ground 4 out, beaten from next, not unduly punished; should learn from this.

FLYING TIGER (IRE) reverted to his status as a disappointment, adding to his long losing run; held up, typically took strong hold, shaken up after 3 out, carried head bit awkwardly, no response; he's ungenuine.

CUBSWIN (IRE) was found out in better company, running no sort of race in truth; mid-division, settled mid-field out wide early, lost place when not fluent first, struggling from fourth.

ARTHINGTON was fatally injured; held up, not fluent fifth, effort when broke down soon after 3 out.

CHAMPAGNE CITY found run of good form coming to a halt after 7 weeks off, an even longer break perhaps in order to get him back, though it's also possible he just sulked; prominent main group, lost place before halfway, tailed off straight; may benefit from a break.

JENKINS (IRE) increasingly looks one to avoid in anything competiive; ridden more patiently, settled mid-field out wide, lost place quickly 4 out, downed tools.