HAYDOCK PARK 15:10 i274e

Non Runners: TEQANY (IRE), DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO (IRE), HOOPER. Hurdles: 9. Race Distance Adjustment: +25 yds

Time: 3m 45.6s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 51.9s (104.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 99.2%

Atypical spring conditions - this was only the second soft-ground Swinton this century - clearly played their part but it's still unusual for a good-class 2m handicap, one that wasn't strongly run, to be taken apart in the style this was for all the quality was down this year with the inherited top weight on a mark of only 144, the winner's display testament to a generous bit of handicapping but also significant ongoing improvement on his part, chased closest by a trio who all had more than a little to recommend them, the third and fourth having even filled the first 2 positions in the Aintree race in which Copperless was still tanking when coming to grief.

COPPERLESS made amends for his Aintree spill to some tune, turning an even more prestigious 2m handicap into a demolition job, with the pair who'd filled the first 2 positions in that race among those left trailing in his wake, a well-bred, fast-improving hurdler with bags of pace who'd have completed a 4-timer here without that preceding mishap; he jumped quickly in mid-division, but the key aspect of his performance was how he travelled, powering into things 2 out and still going strongly with most flat out as he hit the front before the last, low there but losing little momentum and sprinting away once shaken up on the flat, most impressive; it isn't beyond the realms that he progresses to graded level as this season wears on.

CORMIER (IRE) back in headgear, shaped really encouragingly as he got back on the up after 5 months off, leaving the impression he should have finished an even clearer second, doing well under the circumstances regardless; held up, going well when shuffled back soon after 3 out, snatched up again soon after next, finally got gap approaching final 1f with winner long gone, stayed on well.

CAMPROND (FR) continues to shape up well, having to settle for a position one worse than at Aintree but again going with plenty of encouragement, probably not far off the form he'd shown there as he reversed placings with Rowland Ward on only 1 lb better ; patiently ridden, still plenty to do 3 out, quickened on inner next, ran on.

ROWLAND WARD shaped as if still at the top of his game, covering more ground than most (winner and third never left rail), though a 10 lb rise for Aintree looks about right; waited with, good progress 2 out, threatened approaching last, effort flattened out.

SCARLET DRAGON shaped better than on his first 2 starts back hurdling, definite hope from this he can put it together again in this sphere, at least away from such testing ground; patiently ridden, smooth headway 2 out, second when untidy last, effort flattened out, needs the emphasis more on speed.

ANY NEWS (IRE) has been handed a stiff-looking mark but at least shaped as if back in form, much needed having threatened to end a promising first stint hurdling with a whimper; mid-division, effort when baulked soon after 2 out, not quicken; he'll be a very useful novice chaser if pointed in that direction.

NORDIC COMBINED (IRE) didn't have an obvious chance from 7 lb higher than at Hexham and reverted to type in a far stronger handicap; typically travelled well, in touch out wide, closing when untidy 2 out, curled up from there.

BALLINSKER (IRE) seemingly just wasn't up to the task, coming up short in good company on all 3 handicap starts, arriving for this one after a 10-week break but from a yard with a history of priming one for this; led until between last 2, weakening when blundered last.

DEFINING BATTLE (IRE) faced a stiffer task in this grade and is probably best excused the run; chased leader, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, soon on retreat.

POLITICISE (IRE) is struggling for form at present; tracked pace, effort after 2 out, left behind.

SHANROE is obviously a lot better than this, held back by his jumping but seemingly just not firing regardless, pretty much his first blemish in handicaps; tracked pace, mistakes second, fifth, pushed along home turn, no response from 3 out.

CELESTIAL FORCE (IRE) was found out for resolution as much as anything in better company; mid-division, headway when not fluent 4 out, shaken up next, found little.

HISTORIC HEART (IRE) possibly found the race coming too soon, on the back of a long and busy first season hurdling; tracked pace out wide until home turn, struggling soon after.

THISTIMENEXTYEAR went backwards from his belated reappearance from 2 lb out of the weights; soon behind, not always fluent, lost touch before straight.