Most of the interest in this novices' event was lost with the withdrawal of Black Jack Ketchum, dashing hopes of a clash between the two most exciting young staying hurdlers in the country. So this ultimately told us little new about DENMAN, who had put up such an outstanding display in the Challow Hurdle at Cheltenham - but equally he did nothing to detract from the very favourable impression he created that day.

This smallish field was not ideal for a strong-running galloper, best with a good pace and he had to go on from the seventh flight, and he showed his inexperience when getting slightly close to the next and when hanging right approaching two out, but he was always well in command and scored a bloodless victory from vastly inferior opposition. He will come on for the run, the form of his last run could not have worked out better and he remains the one to beat in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.

The value of the form is put into context by the relative proximity of Abraham Smith, who is a modestnovice and ran as well as could possibly have been expected, losing touch from the seventh flight.

Fibre Optics took on the winner in the first half of the race and paid the price late on - he may not stay 3m either and is probably better than the bare form, but this is not a race in which to judge him.

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