Plenty of rain around and Harry Cobden said of the ground: "It's pretty soft out there and it's going to be hard work later in the day." Often a useful novice, Nicky Henderson won it for the fifth time since 2011, although not with the one the market expected. They pace was a steady one in the conditions. #FRED had twice disappointed since arriving from France, but the return to 2m on testing ground seemed to suit him ideally and he came strong over the last two hurdles, taking over at the last and running on well. He's not a Graded performer, at present anyway, and perhaps good-quality handicaps will be his next port of call.
#Ecco was disappointing upped to Grade 2 level at Cheltenham last time and faced no easy task conceding weight all round on this drop in grade. He ran a fine race, but had just been headed when making a mistake at the last and that was that. He has scope for further progress and emerges with almost equal credit to the winner at the weights.
#GetawayFRED, a good winner on similar ground at Chepstow, enjoyed the run of the race but wasn't good enough to race on with the front two when it mattered. He too was conceding weight to the winner and will find easier tasks.
Touchthesoul is still a maiden and always seemed likely to struggle here. Handicaps will be more his thing.
#VegasBlue, a stablemate of the winner who had won both starts in bumpers, was a short enough price to make a winning debut over hurdles and she proved most disappointing, failing to pick up for pressure. It's possible the ground was a bit too testing for her and it's still early days, so expect to see her bounce back soon.
Red Force One, disappointing in a handicap last time, was again well held returning to a novice. He might be one for better ground in the spring.
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