CHELTENHAM 15:05 1ux1g

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 5m 6.1s

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 100%

An intriguing minor event, well run and therefore one which brought stamina and fitness fully into play, the time, though quicker overall, around 3 secs longer for the leader/winner from 2 out than Thomas Brown in the opening novice, Rock On Ruby emerging as a live World Hurdle contender, in a week when 2 of the market leaders, Briar Hill and Beat That, left themselves with ground to make up.

ROCK ON RUBY (IRE) under less testing conditions than last time, pulled out more to follow up, probably his best performance since he was second in the 2013 Champion Hurdle, this trip suiting him better than 2m these days; close up, jumped soundly, disputed lead from fourth, pressed on 2 out, kept on well run-in; clearly well worth trying at 3m, with the World Hurdle his only realistic option at the Cheltenham Festival, his record at the track and at that meeting such that he must enter serious consideration for the race.

VANITEUX (FR) well backed, looked favoured by the weights and ran creditably back up in trip, but no more than that, his limitations apparent after 3 second places here this season; held up, not fluent fourth, headway before 2 out, chased leader straight, no extra near finish.

COLE HARDEN (IRE) ran really well, despite rather than because of the drop in trip, though the good test he'd ensured helped him close up late on after he'd been outpaced; led, mistake seventh, headed 2 out, outpaced, rallied well last, stayed on; will be suited by return to 3m.

OLOFI (FR) back up in trip, seemed to excel himself, no real reason to doubt the performance, essentially untried over this distance but on the face of it well served by the step up; held up, travelled well, headway 2 out, shaken up last, one paced.

SILSOL (GER) was below form, in theory having solid claims up in grade, but seemingly not up to the task, though he might have been unsuited by the track, this his first run here; waited with, ridden after 2 out, weakened entering straight.

BEAT THAT (IRE) one of last season's top 3m novices, was his stable's second string on jockey bookings and clearly needed the run after 8 months off, looked after once his fitness gave way; waited with, took keen hold, not quicken 2 out, weakened before last, not knocked about; far too soon to write him off and his next run, presumably back at 3m, will give a much better idea of how far he can go in the staying division this season.

HINT OF MINT continues to be ambitiously campaigned and was essentially out of his depth; waited with, not fluent 3 out, pushed along after, left behind next.