HUNTINGDON 14:31 6a484f

All 5 ran. Hurdles: 10. Race Distance Adjustment: +74 yds

Time: 4m 49.9s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 55.4s (107.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 102.5%

This would have been a tidy enough field - at least on paper - for this listed prize even without the winner, and while Pacify didn't fire and Hang In There failed to complete, Shishkin was clearly much the best and enhanced his reputation still further with a smooth success.

SHISHKIN (IRE) up in both grade and trip, followed up from last time without any fuss, cementing his position as one of the leading British-trained novice hurdlers, more substance to this performance than his Newbury win, even if it still falls shy on bare form of the top Irish form; in touch, jumped fine, travelled strongly (on the verge of being keen at times), produced to lead before 2 out, already coming away when left further clear there and was merely shaken up, crossing the line with plenty left; his trainer was quick to select the Supreme as his Cheltenham target afterwards, likely to be an easier ride in that than the longer-distance race, and, along with Asterion Forlonge, he'll provide his owner with as strong a hand as has been seen in that contest since neither of the McManus pair My Tent Or Yours or Jezki could get past Champagne Fever in 2013; it's unlikely we've yet seen anything like the best of him and he remains a really exciting prospect, including for chasing.

SHAN BLUE (IRE) strong in the betting, probably ran up to his best but was comprehensively put in his place by the winner; mid-field, untidy sixth, went handy before 3 out, left second next, kept on, no match for winner; he's had his limitations exposed the last twice and a switch to handicap company could be on the cards, for all he'll need to do more from a current mark of 139.

UP THE STRAIGHT (IRE) after 9 weeks off, might have been a little flattered given the gallop but he's now been quite highly tried on both starts since readily beating a useful dual subsequent winner, and he should be better with the emphasis a little more on stamina; held up, effort 3 out, left in a place next, one paced.

PACIFY returned from 11 weeks off with a lacklustre display, much more to his performance than simply the longer trip; taken quite wide, handy, lost ground 3 out, left behind quickly home turn.

HANG IN THERE (IRE) back up in trip, was in the process of running better than in the Tolworth - if still below the level that saw him win in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham in November - when departing; soon led, shaken up approaching home turn, headed before 2 out, still just second when fell there.