Pigeon Island with leader until quickened to lead 3 out, stayed on strongly when challenged last, forged clear run-in

Group Captain not flent, took keen hold early and tracked leaders, driven and stayed on from 2 out, 3rd and mistake last, kept on to go 2nd run-in but no chance with winner

I´msingingtheblues tracked leaders, quickened to challenge last and travelling ok when sprawled badly on landing not recover and dropped back to 3rd, one pace

Chantaco set moderate pace, took keen hold and kept narrow advantage until headed 3 out, stayed chasing leaders and driven to challenge approaching last, weakened run-in

Champagne Cocktail jumped big and not fluent in rear, no chance approaching 2 out but some headway without being any danger run-in

Mudawin in rear but in touch, hit 1st and 3rd, hit 4 out, headway to press for 2nd 2 out and mistake, soon weakened

Weather Permitting always towards rear, no chance approaching 2 out

The jockeys reported the ground to be dead but drying out all the time.

This looked set to be a fascinating late-season novice hurdle, but it was ruined by a complete lack of early pace that turned it into a sprint and renders the form extremely dubious.

PIGEON ISLAND and Chantaco were both reluctant early leaders, but at least by racing prominently, Pigeon Island was well placed to attack when the time was right, and Paddy Brennan picked his time to perfection.

Having begun to inject some pace into proceedings at the top of the hill, the rider really committed his mount off the home bend and Pigeon Island responded considerably better than anything else.

Although only just in front at the final flight, Pigeon Island quickly opened up a big lead up the final hill to post a massively decisive victory, a victory that was all the more laudable given that the five-year-old has had an enormous amount of racing for a quality novice.

Speed is clearly his most potent weapon, and it will serve him admirably if conditions ride on the quick side at Haydock in the Swinton Hurdle.

Group Captain, as a 108-rated Flat performer, might have been expected to be dangerous in a contested that demanded gears, but he was totally overwhelmed by the winner.

I'msingingtheblues, like Group Captain, bungled the final flight, but it seemed to cost him more momentum. Given that he won a Grade 2 here in November, his subsequent progress has perhaps been a little disappointing, but it was no surprise to see him unsuited by the way this race panned out, andbetter will come from him when he tackles fences.

Chantaco, as a past winner of the Zetland Gold Cup, is not short of pace, but he did his cause no good by taking a strong hold up front. It may well be that he is simply not up to this class, but it would be grossly unfair to crab any horse following such a silly race.

Champagne Cocktail was far from disgraced and should be able to win a small race, but Mudawin and Weather Permitting have something to prove.

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