Expert Analysis

A thrilling Aintree Hurdle, featuring an on-the-nod finish between 3 very smart rivals, a lengthy stewards inquiry leaving the placings as they were passing the line. It was a rather messy race in terms of its pace – good to begin with but steadying markedly mid-race – as well as that finish, the winner’s final 4f of 57.27s (109.3%) underlining that speed was rewarded despite ground that was officially and objectively “soft”.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE (h161 here, 163 previously) won the good race his placed efforts behind State Man and Teahupoo earlier this season had promised, but only just, and the impression was that he was running out of gas at the end having travelled particularly strongly in the main body for a long way. He went second 3 out and led approaching the last, jumping right there then drifting back the other way and slightly impeding his 2 challengers, nearly 2 lengths up halfway up the run-in but finding the line coming in the nick of time. He is likely to stay this trip better as a chaser, which may happen before long, but should be as effective at 2m still.

BOB OLINGER (h161 here and previously) is a rejuvenated character, running his fourth good race in a row and arguably unlucky not to get it in the stewards room. He was held up in rear, moved up steadily 3 out, was ridden and with every chance approaching the last, sandwiched for a couple of strides shortly after it then found plenty, in front in another stride.

LANGER DAN (h161 here, 149 previously) showed just what he can do given a proper tilt at good rivals, and the answer was “plenty”, this very smart performance so far in advance of his handicap form at long odds prior to Cheltenham that it is difficult to square the two. He was held up, shaken up and briefly short of room 3 out, had every chance after the next, edged right then was crossed early on the run-in and switched, battling on well to go close.

LUCCIA (h146 here, 152 previously) did not do a lot for the form of the Champion Hurdle, in which she was third, but would have finished a bit closer but for being briefly short of room after 3 out, no impression thereafter.

MARIE’S ROCK (h144 here, 146 previously) ran creditably by her recent standards, clear of the main group in second much of the way, making a mistake at the sixth then leading before 3 out until after the second-last (which she jumped to her left), finding little with her head typically high.

BEACON EDGE (h147 here and previously) ended up running creditably but was struggling some way out.

NEMEAN LION (h0 here, 151 previously) made a few mistakes, a significant one 3 out (down on his nose) when bang in contention sealing his fate.

MAHONS GLORY (h0 here, 137 previously) was worked up beforehand and led for a long way.