FFOS LAS 15:20 572p4c

All 10 ran. Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 38.5s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 45.7s (104.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 101.6%

An interesting renewal, with favouritism shared by a couple of the better British 2m novices of last season, Nemean Lion faring markedly the better of the pair in holding off a rival that was allowed to drift over to the far side.

NEMEAN LION (GER) missed the spring festivals after winning a strong Grade 2 novice at Kelso in March but picked up where he'd left off by landing another valuable prize in taking style, and there's better still to come from him in top-end handicaps, very much the sort to be thereabouts in the Greatwood at Cheltenham next month; tracked pace, travelled well, quickened to lead before 2 out, shaken up run-in, won readily, albeit helped by the runner-up not keeping straight.

ANYHARMINASKING (IRE) lightly-raced but generally progressive, got back on the up after 10 months on the sidelines but went left in the latter stages, a trait he also displayed last season; mid-field, smooth headway before 2 out, effort when drifted left run-in, pulled clear of remainder.

FIVEONEFIVE (IRE) has risen in the weights but shaped as if still in top form after 9 weeks off; waited with, headway 3 out, close up 2 out, held when not fluent last.

EL MUCHACHO (IRE) shaped as if retaining all of his ability after 6 months off; dropped out, not fluent early, still plenty to do entering straight, headway 2 out, no further impression.

GIN COCO (FR) took a step back in the right direction after finishing down the field in the County Hurdle when last seen; mid-field, headway 2 out, not sustain effort.

FAIVOIR (FR) probably needed the run 7 months on from his big-priced win in the County Hurdle; held up, headway when bumped approaching 3 out, no further impression.

MORIKO DE VASSY (FR) let down by his jumping over fences last season (when trained by Tom Symonds), couldn't recapture the pick of his hurdling form on his first start for 9 months; held up, effort after 3 out, held when bad mistake last.

CARBON KING (IRE) without a tongue strap after 6 months off, shaped as if better for the run on his first outing since leaving Declan Queally for £28,000; chased leader, led after 4 out, headed between 3 out and 2 out, no extra.

EFFERNOCK FIZZ (IRE) wasn't in the same form as when winning a less competitive renewal last season; made running, headed soon after 4 out, beaten 3 out.

STRONG LEADER runner-up in the Top Novices' at Aintree when last seen, was disappointing off top weight on his handicap debut but still appeals as the sort who will do well when his gaze is turned to chasing; chased leaders, not fluent fourth, effort when not fluent 3 out, lost place before 2 out.