Expert Analysis

Not the most satisfactory of contests, with the omission of the first and last hurdles making for a very long run-in, and the favourite effectively taken out of the race around halfway, though ultimately Porticello was convincing and put up one of the best juvenile hurdle performances of the campaign so far (Iceo may have surpassed him at Kempton earlier in the afternoon and Fil Dor did at leopardstown the day before). The pace was steady for a long way but they soon got sorted out in the home straight.

PORTICELLO (h141+ here, 137+ previously) may still have more to come in a race run at a truer pace, not having to make the running this time but taking a good hold all the same, going second before 2 out and just about leading at that flight, fiddling the last then drawing away for a ready success. A big unit, he can jump rather low but should improve in that department also.   

SAINT SEGAL (h128+ here, 118 previously) looked like finishing closer for a long way and appeals as the type to continue to progress, this just his second race. He took a good hold in mid-field, moved up stylishly 2 out and had every chance from there until no extra on the flat.

FOREVER WILLIAM (h127 here, 123 previously) is already better than he was on the flat, though he did gain a lot of experience in the latter sphere. He raced freely and was in the first two for a long way, looking in trouble 2 out but sticking to his task.    

IROKO (h116 here, ? previously) had run twice in France previously without winning and showed fair ability here, outpaced in seventh early in the home straight but sticking to his task. There could be better to come.

MAGISTRATO (h115 here, 127 previously) has not really gone on as imagined since a win here on his British debut in October, still in with a chance of a place jumping the last but weakening late on the long run-in.

TEASE AND SEIZE (h110 here, 126 previously) went a bit freely held up and did not see his race out after a brief forward move.

ROCKY MAN (h110 here, 119 previously) needs his sights lowering, always behind.

SKYCUTTER (h96 here, 127 previously) went too freely and caved in after cutting out much of the running.

SAINT RIQUIER (h94 here, 122 previously) ran poorly, rather free but disappointing even so.

GENUFLEX (h68 here, 114 previously) was always behind facing a stiff task.

FOREVER BLESSED (h+ here, 140 previously) is best forgiven this, for all that there is a chance his Sandown win made him look better than he is, close up when nearly put through the rail at halfway by the rider on Skycutter, recovering only briefly and done with turning in.